Manchester United go top of the Barclays Women’s Super League but with their first points dropped in a 1-1 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
After a poot start, Brighton improved to earn a draw in front of their record crowd of over 8,000 at the Amex Stadium.
Sophie Baggaley pushed away an early effort from United’s Hinata Miyazawa but the Reds were still ahead in the opening 10 minutes, as Grace Clinton met a ball into the box by Celin Bizet Ildhusøy to steer it past the keeper.
Clinton was denied a second after quarter of an hour, hitting the underside of the crossbar before Baggaley saved the rebound from Miyazawa.
Brighton’s Pauline Bremer went off in the first half with an injury with Madison Haley her replacement, who forced Phallon Tullis-Joyce to turn her shot round the post after she had been set up by Fran Kirby.
Seven minutes after the restart, United’s goal was breached for the first time this season, as Maria Thorisdottir drove the ball goalward and Nikita Parris connected with a diving header to level the match.
The Seagulls threatened a late winner with a strike from outside the box but Kirby’s shot was turned away by Tullis-Joyce.
Brighton survived some late pressure to go second in the table, goal-difference ahead of Manchester City but still behind United.
