Durham were thwarted by local rivals Sunderland in an eight-goal thriller at Eppleton Colliery.
A first half goal from Emily Scarr, a brace from Mary McAteer and second half goals from Jenna Dear and Katy Watson cancelled-out a double from Mollie Lambert and Beth Hepple’s strike.
Claire Ditchburn made just one change from the defeat against Charlton last time out, with Dee Bradley coming in for Ella Wilson who was named on the bench.
Ellie Christon was also named on the bench for the first time since returning to Durham.
Following an even opening 10 minutes, Sunderland came incredibly close to an early goal when Naoisha McAloon punched a tricky cross as far as McAteer whose volley was heroically headed off the line by Sarah Wilson.
Wilson then managed to find Saorise Noonan on the edge of the area but her effort on the turn was well held by Claudia Moan.
Despite a lively spell for Durham, it was Sunderland who opened the scoring after 32 minutes. Scarr took advantage of Durham failing to clear their lines the lead following a scramble in the box by firing past McAloon from close range.
Sunderland doubled their lead just four minutes later when McAteer got on the end of Jenna Dear’s cross to nod past McAloon.
Durham rallied and Lambert pulled one back for the Wildcats four minutes later when she bundled Andrews low cross into an empty net.
Lambert then completed the comeback for Durham just before the hour mark. A well-timed through ball by Lily Crosthwaite allowed the number eight to cooly slot past Moan for her second of the game.
Sunderland’s lead was restored after 68 minutes when McAteer controlled a loose ball in the box before curling her effort into the top corner.
But four minutes later, Durham equalised again when Hepple fired a free-kick into the top corner from 25-yards.
Sunderland scored their fourth a minute later after Dear’s half-volley from the edge of the box beat McAloon.
The Black Cats then restored their two goal cushion in the 79th minute thanks to substitute Katy Watson’s low driven effort, ensuring all three points went to the hosts.