Brighton & Hove Albion are three points away from sealing the Women’s Premier League Southern Division title after beating fellow promotion hopefuls Portsmouth 3-1.
Amy Taylor struck twice inside 20 minutes to set Brighton on their way. And though Molly Clark halved the deficit with a long-range effort, Charlotte Gurr sealed the points.
The winners of the Southern Division will play the winners of the Northern Division for a place in the 2017 Women’s Super League.
FA Women's Premier League
Northern & Southern Divisions
Sunday 3 April
By Joshua Richards
Charlton and Cardiff are the only teams that can catch them and the Addicks stayed second with a 2-1 win over Lewes.
Sian Heather edged Lewes ahead, but Kit Graham levelled for Charlton before the interval.
The visitors bravely looked to hang on after Paige Walder was sent off, but Grace Coombs broke their resistance in the dying moments.
Coventry United were the division’s big winners, putting five goals past Queens Park Rangers without reply.
Maz Gauntlett struck either side of half-time and goals from Jade Brook, Amber Hughes and Crissy Torkildsen completed the scoring.
Cardiff City warmed up for their League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur with a 1-0 victory against the same opponents, Alys Hinchcliffe scoring the only goal.
In the Northern Division, Stoke City continued their hot pursuit of Preston North End at the summit with a 2-0 win at Nuneaton Town.
The Potters are now five points behind Preston, but have played four matches fewer.
Emily Heckler hit four as Huddersfield Town won 7-2 at Newcastle United, with Katie Nutter, Kate Mallin and Rachael Ackroyd also on target for the visitors.
An Elizabeth Ejupi goal was enough to earn Nottingham Forest the points against Loughborough Foxes.
And Blackburn Rovers won 1-0 at Guiseley Vixens. The home side were given a reprieve after Lynda Shepherd missed a penalty conceded by Lauren Griffiths.
But Rovers won it with 10 minutes left to play, through Ella Toone.
