A shock 3-0 defeat for second in the table Bristol City by Brighton meant that Saints stretched their lead at the top to four points, but they have now completed their fixtures and can only hope that City fail to collect the points they need from their remaining three matches.

Saints at least ended the campaign on a high, striker Kelly Baker putting them on the road to victory with her 20th goal of the season in the 24th minute. Eleven minutes later Baker’s strike partner Watts opened her account, then she added her second goal five minutes into the second half.

Her hat-trick goal 10 minutes from time completed a tremendous end to the season for Watts, who hit the net nine times in Southampton’s last eight matches.

While Saints were having a good day on the road Bristol City were having a bad day at the office, nerves affecting them quite badly as they attempted to put themselves on the brink of promotion to the National Division for the first time in the club’s history.

Brighton, 6-2 losers at home to Chelsea on the previous Sunday, swept into a two-goal half-time lead through Sophie Perry and Kerry Dawkins then wrapped up victory with a Clare Stafford goal 11 minutes from time.

The surprise result at the top was matched by something of a shock at the other end of the table, where bottom club Merthyr Tydfil won 4-1 at Millwall Lionesses to give themselves a real chance of avoiding relegation.

Sarah Gregory hit two goals and there were one apiece for Kayleigh Greening and Jenna Hopkins as the 10-woman Lionesses, who had Eunice Asante sent off in the first half, were put to the sword.

Merthyr’s win, combined with Enfield Town’s 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Town, means that if the Welsh club collect another victory in their six-pointer at Enfield next week it will be Town who drop out of the Premier League along with already relegated Barnet.

In the Northern Division there was relief for Lincoln City as their 3-0 win at bottom of the table Bangor City ensured them of retaining their Premier League status.

Sara Priestly scored twice and Adele Jackson was also on target as the Imps inflicted a 14th defeat of the season on relegation-doomed Bangor, who are the only club in the three divisions of the Premier League without a single victory to their name.

Sheffield Wednesday also gave themselves hope of survival with a creditable 2-2 draw against in-form Sunderland. The result lifted the Owls four points above second-bottom Chesterfield, who have just two matches – against Bangor and Sunderland – to get the points they require.