Doncaster defeat for ladies
Liverpool Ladies remain rooted to the foot of the Women's Super League table after a goalkeeping error and a penalty miss contributed to a 1-0 defeat at Doncaster on Wednesday night.
The Reds will feel aggrieved after some inconsistent refereeing also played its part as the visitors left Yorkshire without just rewards for a good showing.
At a Keepmoat Stadium bathed in the evening sunshine, Robbie Johnson made two changes, with Suzanne Lappin and Carmel Bennett coming in for Gemma Watson and Cheryl Foster, who were both carrying slight knocks.
Liverpool - playing in their white away kit - last tasted victory against Doncaster in their FA Cup quarter-final clash just over a month ago when Kelly Jones opened the scoring after just 43 seconds.
There was no repeat of that fast start this time, and it was the Belles who had the better of the opening exchanges, with Vicky Exley and Precious Hamilton both providing dangerous crosses into the Reds box after Exley herself had curled a free-kick well over.
Liverpool's first threatening moment came on 12 minutes when Nicki Harding was fouled after good build-up play down the right. However, the visitors couldn't make the most of Michelle Evans's free-kick, or the resulting corner.
Five minutes later, terrific one-touch football from the Reds resulted in Ruesha Littlejohn curling an effort just wide of the helpless Helen Alderson's post.
Liverpool remained on the front foot, and Kelly Jones had a sight of goal moments later. Alderson misjudged her attempt to claim Harding's floated cross, but from just inside the box, Jones was unable to control her header and put her effort a foot wide.
On the half hour, Katie Brusell did find the net, but not before the referee had pulled play back to award a free-kick to Liverpool for a tug on Brusell's shirt. Unfortunately for the Reds, Littlejohn couldn't match her teammate's accuracy with the resulting free-kick.
Liverpool's good play was beginning to convert itself into opportunities, and Evans was unlucky when she connected perfectly with a half-volley, only to see the ball dip into Alderson's arms.
Despite being the better side, Liverpool fell victim to a sucker-punch on 35 minutes.
Unlike with Brusell's effort, this time the referee did play an advantage after a foul during a Belles attack and the home side made the most of their fortune.
Aine O'Gorman was set free down the left, and her cross crept in via Worrall's hands, when the goalkeeper would have hoped to have done better.
As the floodlights flickered into life, the home side finished the half brighter, and could have doubled their lead when Hamilton fired a shot wide after finding space in the box.
Early in the second half, Worrall went some way to redeeming herself for her earlier mistake. A clearance from the 'keeper was pounced on by Exley, who then drove forward before unleashing a shot that was bound for the bottom corner before Worrall stuck out a hand to save.
Just before the hour, Liverpool were presented with a golden chance to level when Littlejohn's cross from the right was handled by a Belles defender. The Scottish striker stepped up herself to take the penalty, but her effort was saved by Alderson, and the rebound scrambled away for a corner.
Despite that miss, just as in the first half, Liverpool were beginning to get on top. Lappin found the ball at her feet in the penalty area, but her shot lacked the necessary power to trouble Alderson.
With 25 minutes left, Johnson made a double change with Foster and Shepherd taking the places of Evans and Bennett.
It was Doncaster that had the next attempt at goal, though, with the Reds pushing forward Kasia Lipka took the opportunity to feed Becky Hall, who cut in from the left and shot low at Worrall.
As the clocked ticked past 80 minutes, Liverpool frustrations grew as Kelly Jones was dispossessed on the edge of the area, and crosses from Harding and Brusell failed to fall for a white shirt.
These frustrations began to show, as Nicky Twohig was booked for a late challenge on Belles skipper Katie Holtham.
Doncaster nearly completed Liverpool's misery on the stroke of full-time when Holtham's through ball split the away defence, but Exley could only shoot wide.
In stoppage time, the Reds almost got the break they deserved. After Harding and Foster both miscued shots, the ball fell for Kelly Jones, whose chipped effort was spilled by Alderson. Littlejohn attempted to turn home the rebound, but was crowded out by Belles defenders.
Harding then nearly made herself a hero, but her shot was turned over by Alderson. This turned out to be the last action of another disappointing night for Liverpool, and Johnson's team go into Sunday's clash with Lincoln still looking for their first win.