Amy Kane goal gives Everton win over leaders Birmingham
Last updated on .From the section Football
A late Amy Kane goal gave in-form Everton a 3-2 win at Birmingham City, the Women's Super League leaders falling to their first defeat of the season.
The Toffees had to come from behind after Emily Westwood's early goal, but Natasha Dowie scored twice to put the visitors in front.
Rachel Williams brought Birmingham back on to level terms, but six minutes from time Kane hit the goal that gave Everton their fifth successive victory.
Everton's struggling neighbours Liverpool were denied a first win of the season when Doncaster Belles forced a 1-1 draw through Aine O'Gorman's late equaliser.
Birmingham City 2-3 Everton
Former Everton defender Westwood headed home midfielder Jo Potter's seventh minute corner to give Birmingham a great start.
The home side maintained control for much of the first half, but Everton forced their way into the game and should have equalised before half-time.
Left winger Gwennan Harries headed a simple chance wide then Dowie, seconds before the break, had a goalbound shot well saved by goalkeeper Leanne Hall.
Harries and Dowie then combined 10 minutes into the second half, however, for the striker to level the scores from close range.
And nine minutes later Dowie got her second goal from the penalty spot following a hand-ball by central defender Laura Bassett.
It took the leaders just two minutes to equalise as Everton were undone by another Potter corner, Williams ramming the ball into the roof of the net from six yards.
Right winger Dunia Susi fluffed a fine chance to clinch victory for Birmingham when she scuffed a shot wide with only keeper Rachel Brown to beat.
And that miss proved highly costly as Kane curled a 25 yard shot over Hall and just under the bar for the winner.
The Toffees are still five points behind Birmingham, but they have a game in hand and are still in with a shout for the title.
Liverpool 1-1 Doncaster Rovers Belles
The WSL's lowest crowd of the season (120) saw the bottom of the table Reds again fail to produce a victory from a match in which they had chances to collect three points.
After the first half had ended goalless defender Nicki Harding put the home side in front with a 47th minute close range shot.
Further openings were created but wasted and Doncaster made the most of their luck, striker O'Gorman equalising with a deflected shot 10 minutes from time.
