Late goal saves Ladies' title dream
Liverpool Ladies' bid to retain their Women's Super League title will continue until the final day of the season after a dramatic late equaliser by Gemma Davison earned a 3-3 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.
Matt Beard's team battled from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to rescue a point, which means the championship is still mathematically in reach next weekend, although the advantage is now with leaders Chelsea and Birmingham City.
A victory over Bristol Academy is a necessity on home turf on October 12, while other beneficial results and a swing in goal difference are required if the Ladies are to repeat their feat of 12 months ago.
They found themselves with a mountain to climb barely a quarter of an hour into today's contest; Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs found the target twice in quick succession to create a strong advantage for the hosts.
Goalkeeper Libby Stout ensured there was hope for a comeback by producing an outstanding save, diving one-handed, to keep out Danielle Carter's drive from long range and prevent the lead from being extended.
Morale was boosted further before the break when Fara Williams, who scored a winner from the halfway line in their previous run-out, dispatched a free-kick into the top corner to amend the score to 2-1 at half-time.
However, the Londoners' two-goal cushion was soon restored; Rachel Yankey delivered an accurate corner for Casey Stoney to redirect a header beyond Stout between the posts.
Seeking to find another path back into the game, Beard made a double switch, bringing on a pair of attackers in Nicole Rolser and Katie Zelem. The alteration bore quick dividends, with the former sending a delicate chip into the back of the net for 3-2.
Both sides had numerous chances to strike again, but it was the travellers who found an equaliser. Davison, a first-half substitute, ended a fine individual run by squeezing a finish underneath the 'keeper against her former club to grab a crucial point for Liverpool.
Liverpool Ladies: Stout, Harris (Davison), Bronze, Bonner, Easton, Schroder, Williams, Omarsdottir, Da Costa (Zelem), Longhurst (Rolser), Dowie. Unused substitutes: Gibbons, Frausing Pedersen.