Albion Women battled to a 2-2 draw with Derby County Ladies in an entertaining National League Northern Premier clash at Walsall Wood on Wednesday evening.
Hannah Baines opened the scoring for the Baggies after 10 minutes, controlling a Hannah George free-kick before slotting a low effort home to give Louis Sowe’s side the advantage.
Fran Orthodoxou came close to doubling Albion’s lead shortly before the interval, but her dipping shot from 20 yards struck the crossbar.
Two minutes into the second period the home side went further ahead. Natalie Murray latched onto a Jade Arber through ball and comprehensively lobbed the helpless Leah Kellogg in the Rams’ goal from range.
The visitors applied pressure as the second half wore on, with Albion’s ‘keeper Vanessa Kinnerley making a string of smart saves to keep the score at 2-0.
Derby halved the Baggies’ lead after 70 minutes, before equalising shortly after, making the scoreline 2-2 with 15 minutes remaining.
The point lifts Albion to fifth in the National League Northern Premier Division, one place above Derby County.
Sowe's side will travel to Fylde in their next fixture on Sunday, October 27, (ko 2pm).
ALBION: Kinnerley, Jewitt, George, Orthodoxou, Elsmore, Baines, Murray, Greaves (Nymoen 65), Arber, K Davies, J Davies (Gallop 70).
Substitutes: James, Reid.