Women's Report: Saints 5-2 Sheffield United

The visitors took the lead after just 12 minutes through their top scorer, Amy Andrews, but Saints turned the tide before the break with two quickfire goals from Jess Simpson and Michaela McAlonie.

Sheffield United pulled level in the second half from the penalty spot as Andrews struck once more, but Saints hit back with three goals in the final ten minutes - a brace for Mary Bashford and an Aimee Palmer free-kick - to seal the victory.

Simon Parker had fielded just one change from last week's dramatic win over Ipswich Town, as Ellie Brazil made an instant return to the side after recovering from a concussion.

Within the first minute, Saints came close to their second early opener in as many games when Atlanta Primus squared the ball to Brazil, who was kept out at close range.

Saints' Silverlake starters. (Photos: Stuart Martin)

That was the last chance that Saints would have for some time, however, as the visitors took control in a laboured start at the Silverlake Stadium; Fran Stenson was called into action as Eva Butler fired towards goal, with Saints' shot-stopper equal to it.

A minute later though, Stenson was unable to keep out the next chance when the Blades' leading outlet Andrews tried her luck from the edge of the area with a shot that agonisingly rolled into the bottom corner.

Knowing a win would mathematically ensure their already all-but sealed survival, Sheffield United went searching for more as Stenson had to push clear another Baker chance from close range.

Charlie Devlin was next to try her luck as she bust towards the edge of the area from the left wing but had her shot deflected wide off Amy Goddard - that was the centre-back's final action, as she was forced off moments later after a clash of heads at the other end.

The break in play gave Saints a chance to rally themselves, and they resumed action with a much improved vigour that was clear to see when Tegan McGowan had a close range header well saved and McAlonie was denied from distance within seconds.

With Sheffield United's nerves growing, goalkeeper Sian Rogers' mis-hit clearance cannoned off McAlonie and almost trickled in for an equaliser.

Saints were turning the screw and Rogers responded with an excellent save to keep out the next chance, as Aimee Palmer struck a swerving effort from the edge of the area that was top corner bound.

The leveller finally arrived in the 40th minute from a customary set-piece, when Tara Bourne's inswinging corner wasn't cleared at the far post and Simpson reacted first to poke the ball home.

The momentum had certainly shifted, as Saints pushed for a second with McGowan and Brazil both firing wide in the area.

A second Saints goal did arrive swiftly after - just four minutes after the first - when Palmer pressed high from a goal kick and forced Ella Kinzett to lose the ball, which teed up McAlonie to power home and complete the turnaround.

Michaela McAlonie (L) celebrates her goal. (Photos: Stuart Martin)

Into the second half, the game had slowed again as Saints settled on their lead with minimal threat from their opponents.

That was, however, until an unassuming attack on the right saw the ball pop up unfortunately onto Bourne's arm - the referee signalled for a penalty and Andrews dispatched it confidently to level the game once more.

With the wind momentarily taken out of Saints' sails, the game slowed and seemed set for a draw until another late charge powered Simon Parker's side to a resounding scoreline.

In the 86th minute, Bashford put her side back in the lead with her typically never-say-die attitude, as a corner was headed back across goal by Brazil and bundled in by Saints' central midfielder on the line, sparking relief and celebration in equal measure for the home crowd.

The result was sealed in the 89th minute as the visitors were reduced to 10 players after Jessica Reavill hauled down Maria Edwards to receive a straight red card; Palmer stepped up to coolly curl the resulting free-kick into the top corner.

The atmosphere was lifted and the pressure was off, as Saints added extra gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time when, at the third attempt with bodies in the box, Bashford fired a loose ball into the top corner to make it five.

Saints: Stenson, Collett, Goddard (Mott 30'), Bourne, Simpson (Brown 90+2'), Palmer, Bashford, Brazil (Ferguson 90+2'), Primus (c), McAlonie, McGowan (Edwards 81').

Subs not used: Pettit, Hack, Roberts, Sena.

Goals: Simpson (40'), McAlonie (44'), Bashford (86', 90+6'), Palmer (89')

Yellow cards: Bourne (64').

Sheffield United: Rogers, Cowan, Lafayette, Kinzett (c), Andrews, Ralph (Thomas 66'), Devlin, Sherwood, Rouse, Butler (Guyatt 46'), Reavill.

Subs not used: Parker-Smith, Taylor, O'Leary, Hill, O'Rourke.

Goals: Andrews (12', 65' pen).

Yellow cards: Lafayette (68').

Red cards: Reavill (87')

Attendance: 1,286.