Reading scored two late goals at the Dripping Pan to rescue a vital point in their Women’s Championship relegation battle with Lewes.
Liam Gilbert’s side were staring in the face of defeat having conceded two first-half goals, but managed to claw themselves back into the game late on with strikes from Bethan Roberts and Charlie Wellings to take a draw.
Both teams went into the clash desperate for points to ease their relegation fears with Lewes knowing the potential of a win would take them level on points with Reading.
With 13 minutes on the clock the hosts went in front when Maria Farrugia muscled her way past Brooke Hendrix and then showed immense composure to steady herself in the box before placing the ball into the top corner.
The Rooks were dominating early proceedings and eventually doubled their money just before the half hour mark when a 25-yard half volley was spilled by Eve Annets who fumbled Grace Riglar’s shot into the net.
The young Royals keeper managed to amend her error to prevent the home side from racing into a three goal lead when she tipped a fierce Ferrugia shot onto the crossbar.
Reading started to turn the screw in hope of getting back into the game when Jesse Woolley forced a strong save from the keeper before Tia Primmer sent the ball wide on the rebound.
With 10 minutes to go Reading found a lifeline when Bethan Roberts poked the ball through a crowd of bodies following a goalmouth scramble from a corner.
Deep into stoppage time, Reading grabbed a point when Wellings was well placed to smash a volley past the keeper inside the six-yard box.
Primmer was sent off after receiving a second yellow which gave Lewes a late free-kick to fire the ball into the box, but Reading managed to survive a late scare after scrambling the ball away from their line.
The draw means that Reading move up one place into ninth, level on points with 10th placed London City and are two points ahead of both 11th and 12th.
Lewes: Whitehouse, Riglar, Hazard, Garrad, Hamilton, Farrugia, Olding, Roche, Godfrey, Hand, Claypole
Subs: More, Cleverly, Hack, Mooney, Clarkson
Reading: Annets, Stapleton, Wellings, Primmer, Perry, Wade, Hendrix, Mayi Kith, Estcourt, Woodham, Woolley
Subs: Orman, Houssein, Smith, Wilson, Hunt, Longhurst
Goals: Farrugia 12’, Riglar 28’, Roberts 80’, Wellings 90+5’
