Lionesses cling to top spot

Millwall Lionesses have clung on to top spot in the Women’s Premier League table, despite tasting defeat for the first time this season at Sunderland.

Millwall went into the match with a perfect record from their opening three games, but Jordan Nobbs and a dramatic late strike from Abby Holmes sealed a fine 2-1 victory for Sunderland, who move up to fourth.

Fans of the Lionesses are likely to be pinching themselves at their side’s start to the season, but surely the most content supporters in the country must be Nottingham Forest’s.

Lisa Dawkins led the side to promotion and then Premier League survival last season, and Beth Bailey’s goal proved enough to seal a 1-0 win at Bristol Academy this afternoon.

The three points lift them up to second – the club’s highest ever position – as Dawkins continues to work her magic.

Elsewhere, Watford Ladies move up to third after beating Blackburn 3-2 in a highly entertaining game.

The game swung back and forth, but the hero for the hosts was Sarah Wiltshere, who scored twice in the second-half in a game that saw both sides show commendable attacking intent.

In the final game of the day, Doncaster Rovers Belles were indebted to star striker Liz Hanson – who is only just back from a nine-month injury lay-off – as her early goal saw them beat Birmingham Ladies 1-0.