Blackburn Rovers moved into the top half of the Barclays Women’s Championship with a 2-1 win over Lewes at Ewood Park on Monday evening.
The result lifted Rovers above Durham, while Lewes remain in the relegation zone three points from safety with five games to go.
Blackburn made a strong start as Hannah Coan gave them a sixth-minute lead after a corner, with a finish at the far post.
Amelia Hazard fired over the top after a neat move by the visitors, as they threatened the home goal for the first time.
Jade Richards’s header was blocked by goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse and Megan Hornby put the rebound over the Lewes bar.
Shepherd doubled the lead with a header before the hour mark, Hornby having put over the cross.
The Rooks replied with 25 minutes to go when Hollie Olding nodded in from a corner, but defeat left them still a point off the bottom.
Fixture for Wednesday 13 March
Sheffield United v Watford (Bramall Lane, 7pm) – live on The FA Player
