A late equaliser from Bethany England salvaged a point for Tottenham against Brighton in the Women’s Super League.
Elisabeth Terland gave Brighton an early lead at Brisbane Road, but England responded in the 81st minute by steering home Ashleigh Neville’s cross.
The Spurs captain almost made it a winning comeback when she struck the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Brighton did enough to hold on, however, picking up a hard-earned draw.
Substitute Neville had an immediate impact when her cross found England and she then stabbed an effort wide, before midfielder Grace Clinton forced Brighton goalkeeper Melina Loeck into a smart save.
Loeck, making her debut for Brighton, was kept busy throughout as she made several stops to deny England and Clinton.
Meanwhile, Norwegian striker Terland was impressive again, grabbing her 13th goal of the campaign and her seventh on the road.
A tale of two strikers as points are shared
This proved to be a rather cagey contest until late on.
Sixth-placed Tottenham had the better of the chances in the opening minutes, with Charlotte Grant racing through but dragging her shot wide.
Clinton threatened shortly afterwards too, but Terland then provided the ruthless touch that she has demonstrated consistently for Brighton this season.
In the 17th minute, she met Pauline Bremer’s excellent cross with a powerful header. Although goalkeeper Becky Spencer managed to push it on to the crossbar, Terland reacted to poke in the rebound from close range.
Only Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw (21) has scored more goals in total than Terland this season among WSL players, and her form has helped Brighton make progress recently in the lower reaches of the table under Mikey Harris’ interim management.
Tottenham, who are gearing up for their first Women’s FA Cup final appearance next month, were missing key players with Martha Thomas, Drew Spence and Celin Bizet all absent.
However, with on-loan midfielder Clinton returning after sitting out last week’s draw with her parent club Manchester United, Tottenham were able to carve out chances and a flurry came at the end.
Once England had equalised, Spurs built momentum and will feel frustrated they could not find another goal to snatch all three points late on.
Line-ups
Tottenham Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Spencer
- 2GrantSubstituted forNevilleat 76′minutes
- 4James-Turner
- 21BühlerSubstituted forGrahamat 57′minutes
- 6Nildén
- 8ClintonBooked at 90mins
- 25Summanen
- 20AhtinenSubstituted forWangat 56′minutes
- 9England
- 7NazSubstituted forBrazilat 82′minutes
- 13VinbergSubstituted forBartripat 57′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Votíková
- 5Bartrip
- 10Brazil
- 11Petzelberger
- 16Graham
- 23Ayane
- 27Heeps
- 29Neville
- 77Wang
Brighton Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 28Loeck
- 8Bremer
- 5Bergsvand
- 2Thorisdóttir
- 3Pattinson
- 18Symonds
- 6Losada
- 10OlmeSubstituted forFerreira Pintoat 39′minutesBooked at 69mins
- 21HaleyBooked at 65minsSubstituted forRobinsonat 68′minutes
- 11TerlandSubstituted forKullbergat 77′minutes
- 9LeeBooked at 48minsSubstituted forLiat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Sarri
- 14Carabalí
- 16Kullberg
- 17Ferreira Pinto
- 20Stefanovic
- 22Robinson
- 26Li
- 32Baggaley
- 45Dent
Live Text
-
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 1.
-
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur Women 1, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 1.
-
Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur Women) is shown the yellow card.
-
Foul by Amanda Nildén (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
-
Vicky Losada (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Molly Bartrip (Tottenham Hotspur Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Katie Robinson (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
-
Foul by Ellie Brazil (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
-
Guro Bergsvand (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
-
Attempt blocked. Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
-
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Conceded by Maria Thorisdóttir.
-
Attempt saved. Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bethany England with a cross.
-
Foul by Ellie Brazil (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
-
Melina Loeck (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Attempt saved. Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Wang Shuang.
-
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
-
Delay in match because of an injury Maisie Symonds (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
-
Foul by Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
-
Maisie Symonds (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Foul by Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
