Durham lose 1-0 to Oxford and will feel unlucky after dominating the game.
Durham came away without a point at Oxford after Kat Nutman pounced on a goal line scramble in the first half in the only goal of the game.
The first ten minutes saw both teams struggling to find a final ball as the ball remained mainly in the midfield.
Durham’s first chance camein the 13th minute when Beth Hepple met Julie Nelson’s long free-kick at the back of the box and lobbed goalkeeper Lambourne hitting the corner of the woodwork.
Hitting the crossbar kicked The Wildcats into gear and they started dominating possession. Amelia Pereira completed some neat play on the edge of the box to set up Purfield who shot just wide from an angle.
Durham continued to press and had a penalty appeal turned down when it seemed Sarah Wilson was pulled down in the penalty area in the 34th minute.
Oxford broke the deadlock against the run of play when their corner turned into a goalline scramble before Nutman poked the ball into the net with seven minutes of the half left to play.
Emily Scott made a brief appearance in the second half when she replaced Ellie Christon but an injury meant Scott had to come back off for Vic Linsley soon after.
The Wildcats pressed well and Hepple’s corner in the 66th minute found Linsley who’s header was well held by Lambourne.
Minutes later Hepple played Jenning’s through on the right-hand side and Lambourne appeared to body-check Jennings but the referee turned down any penalty appeals that Durham had.
Manager Lee Sanders used his last substitute in the 72nd minute when Amelia Pereira was replaced by striker Becky Beech.
Substitute Linsley had another chance in the 75th minute when a corner from Jemma Purfield turned into a goal line scramble but Lambourne smothered the ball before Linsley could get a shot away.
Oxford were close to doubling their lead when Allison found herself free in the box and cut it back to Nutman who failed to hit the target.
United made their first change of the match late on when Laura Low replaced Holly Pickett.
The hosts came close again in the 88th minute as Stanley cut it back to Allison who volleyed the ball over from close range.
Durham failed to break Oxford’s resolute defence and Durham came away feeling hard done by with a loss.