Women's Report: Saints 2-2 Charlton

Saints enjoyed a positive half against the promotion challengers and took the lead before the half hour through Jess Simpson's powerful close range finish.

Charlton hit back in the second half with an equaliser from Gillian Kenney, before they looked to snatch all three points with a cruel stoppage time penalty that was converted by Emma Bissell.

However, the late drama wasn’t over, as Atlanta Primus rescued back a point as she scrambled the ball over the line in the 94th minute.

Saints' starters for their final home game. (Photos: Graham Scambler)

On his side's return to action after the international break, Simon Parker made one change, with a shift in formation that saw Milly Mott start in a back five as Tegan McGowan dropped to the bench.

With the visitors still firmly in the promotion race, but momentarily out of the automatic spots for the first time this season due to results elsewhere, there was plenty riding on the encounter which allowed Saints to play with freedom from the start.

The bright start saw the first major chance fall to Megan Collett after a pinpoint Simpson cross, as the right back controlled the ball and smashed a volley from close range that was well blocked by the onrushing Sophie Whitehouse in goal.

Charlton had few chances of note in the first half, but their closest efforts fell to Glória Siber and Charlotte Newsham; the former flashed a shot across goal after some neat build up play, before the latter stretched to poke a cross towards the bottom corner that was saved well by Fran Stenson.

Saints soaked up the fleeting pressure and clinically pounced in response as they took the lead in the 27th minute through Simpson's seventh goal of the season in all competitions.

The left back arrived late in the box to perfectly meet Michaela McAlonie's cross and power home from six yards out.

Simpson celebrates yet another Saints goal.

The slender lead was managed comfortably by Saints as they held the advantage until the break, before the visitors came out with added impetus in the second half.

Saints almost doubled the lead before the hour mark though when an inswinging Tara Bourne corner was met by Ellie Brazil, whose header was deflected onto the post.

From then on, the visitors steadily increased their pressure in search of a much needed leveller for their promotion hopes; Karin Muya had a shot deflected wide as Jodie Hutton somehow headed off target from the resulting set piece.

Charlton's goal did arrive in the 70th minute as they punished Saints from a set piece that was poorly cleared, which allowed Gillian Kenney to steer the ball into the corner.

Saints pushed for a response as Collett fired just wide from inside the area after being picked out by Primus' clever cut back before the visitors piled on the pressure late on.

A succession of corners tested Stenson in a crowded area, as Charlton were then handed the perfect chance to take the lead when Amy Goddard was adjudged to have fouled a visiting player in the area.

Bissell, the Addicks’ number nine, was ushered on from the bench and stepped up to convert the spot kick and cue relieved celebrations that put promotion and a potential title firmly in their hands ahead of the final day.

However, Saints weren’t to be written out of the story just yet, as captain Primus came to the rescue with 94 minutes on the clock.

A cross from Abbie Ferguson struck the crossbar and Primus reacted fastest in the area to poke the equaliser home from close range.

The deserved point means that Charlton will face a dramatic, three-team fight for the title on the final day, whilst Saints move to four games unbeaten with eyes on a positive final day flourish against Nottingham Forest.

Saints: Stenson, Collett, Goddard, Mott, Bourne (McGowan 77'), Simpson (Brown 90'), Palmer, Bashford, Primus (c), Brazil (Ferguson 84'), McAlonie.

Subs not used: Pettit, Sena, Roberts, Edwards, Rae.

Goals: Simpson (26'), Primus (90+4’)

Yellow cards: Goddard (57').

Charlton: Whitehouse (c), Mason, Newsham, N'Dow, Bradley (Lockwood 61'), Fitzgerald (McAteer 61'), Muya (Bissell 90'), Siber (Hutton 12'), Thestrup (Kenney 46'), Lobato, Flannery.

Subs not used: Pedersen, Ross, Pearse, Skeels.

Goals: Kenney 70’, Bissell (90+1’ pen).

Attendance: TBC.