Charlton Athletic came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in the FA Women’s Premier League play-off at Bramall Lane.
Goals shortly before half-time from Kit Graham and Georgia Griffin turned a first-half largely dominated by the FA WPL northern champions in the favour of Riteesh Mishra’s side.
Blackburn captain Lynda Shepherd had given Rovers the lead inside a frantic first five minutes from the penalty spot but they couldn’t see out the first 45 minutes.
The effort rebounded to Blackburn striker Saffron Jordan who was upended in the box by Sam Pittruck, allowing Shepherd to step up and fire Gemma Donnelly’s side into the lead.
The goal seemed to give Blackburn the extra belief but they never managed to capitalise on their advantage.
The lively Flint saw a powerful free-kick saved by Startup before another effort from long range was more comfortable for the Charlton goalkeeper.
But Charlton turned the screw shortly before the break, a brilliant ball in from the right by Charley Clifford allowed Graham to head home past Hill to equalise.
Just minutes later the turnaround was complete in similar fashion. This time it was Nicole Pepper with the accurate ball in and Georgia Griffin floated a header past Hill who was caught in no man’s land.
The second half was a less lively affair with Charlton happy to sit on their lead and Blackburn lacking the energy and verve of their first half performance.
The closest Blackburn came to a much-needed equaliser was minutes into the second half when Lagan Makin got in down the left and pulled a ball across goal for Jordan, but the striker’s effort was blocked.
The striker looked like she’d flicked home the equaliser but Pittuck made up for her earlier error with a brilliant block.
Indeed, it was Charlton who went closest to extending their lead, Clifford once again influential in the midfield as she saw her long-range effort brilliantly pushed wide by Hill.
A late free-kick from Natasha Fenton caught everyone out and struck the top of the crossbar before Charlton wasted a chance to seal the game from the spot.
Kit Graham was fouled but Hill saved Charlotte Gurr’s penalty although it wasn’t enough for Blackburn despite four minutes of stoppage time.
Blackburn Rovers: 1 Danielle Hill, 2 Chelsey Jukes, 3 Alex Taylor, 4 Lynda Shepherd, 6 Jess Holbrook, 7 Lagan Makin, 8 Natasha Fenton, 9 Saffron Jordan, 10 Natasha Flint, 12 Kayleigh McDonald, 14 Ellie Cook.
Substitutes: 11 Ria Montgomery for Jukes 82
Substitutes not used: 13 Amelia Size, 19 Hannah Walsh, 18 Eve Clarkson, 15 Kaylea Cunliffe
Manager: Gemma Donnelly
Goals: Lynda Shepherd (pen) 5
Charlton Athletic: 1 Katie Startup, 5 Olivia Lukasewich, 6 Grace Coombs, 8 Charley Clifford, 10 Charlotte Gurr, 11 Hannah Churchill, 12 Samantha Pittuck, 14 Nicole Pepper, 16 Kit Graham, 17 Harley Bennett, 19 Georgia Griffin.
Substitutes: 18 Hope Nash for Griffin 81
Substitutes not used: 3 Chloe Brunton-Wilde, 4 Kim Dixson, 15 Charlotte Lee, 23 Flo Jackson
Manager: Riteesh Mishra
Goals: Kit Graham 42, Georgia Griffin 45+2
Cautions: Hannah Churchill 21
Referee: Lucy Oliver
Attendance: 917
