#FAWSL: Birmingham City Women draw derby with last-gasp leveller

Birmingham City and Aston Villa draw
Karl Newton/Sports Press Photo

Birmingham City equalised in stoppage-time to draw with Aston Villa in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, while Arsenal beat West Ham.

Late drama sees Second City derby drawn

Birmingham City moved above West Ham into ninth spot, Aston Villa sit on point above bottom of the table Bristol City following the 1-1 result, with all sides down to their final two league fixtures.

The Blues lost Ruesha Littlejohn early on to injury and found themselves behind after a breakaway from their own corner kick.

Mana Iwabuchi sent Shania Hayles away, who crossed for Freya Gregory and although she fired against the underside of the crossbar, she hit home the rebound.

The Blues struggled to threaten the Villa goal but five minutes into added time they won a free kick, which was  delivered into the box by Veatriki Sarri and went straight in, sparking wild celebrations.

Gunners within striking distance of third place

Arsenal are effectively three points away from clinching the third Champions League place, after victory over West Ham, who remain two points ahead of the basement side.

Arsenal had to wait until the 33rd minute to find a way past West Ham, Noëlle Maritz playing the ball to Vivianne Miedema, who curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Caitlin Foord had an effort ruled out for offside just after the interval and Mackenzie Arnold prevented Jordan Nobbs getting the second goal from point-black range.

With about a dozen minutes left, Maritz was again involved as Kim Little doubled the lead with a shot across Arnold into the far corner.

A Martha Thomas header forced a smart save from Gunners keeper Lydia Williams, as the hosts kept a seventh successive clean sheet.

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