Amy Taylor’s double was enough to confirm Brighton and Hove Albion as FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division champions after doing just about enough to overcome a dogged Tottenham Hotspur.
It took until first-half stoppage time for Taylor to latch onto Charlotte Gurr’s flick on and ease the nerves of the visitors.
But Tottenham’s second-half sub Bianca Baptiste made an immediate impact when she drilled home from just outside the penalty box.
Taylor had several further opportunities to score before she finally found the net again 15 minutes from time.
FA Women's Premier League
Northern and Southern Divisions Sunday April 10 By Chris Bailey
A barrage of pressure swiftly followed from the hosts but Brighton clung on to make sure they set up a play-off match with the Northern Division winners on May 29 for the right to be promoted to FA WSL 2.
In the battle for second place in the south, Coventry United secured a vital 2-1 victory after going behind to an early Zoe Rushen penalty against C&K Basildon.
Amber Hughes and an own goal from Basildon captain Amber Lacey completed the turnaround to bring Coventry to within two points of second-place Charlton.
Elsewhere, Tash Wells scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute as Lewes took away a surprise victory from fifth-place Portsmouth – their seventh win of the FA WPL season.
And Plymouth Argyle picked up just their fifth point of the season after holding second-from-bottom Forest Green Rovers at home, Dani Salt scoring before Annie Martin equalised for the visitors.
It was all square between West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers in the only other fixture in the south.
In the Northern Division, Preston North End solidified their place at the top of the league after a 2-1 victory over nearest rivals Stoke City.
Yasmine Swarbrick got the breakthrough for Preston just past the hour-mark – a tap-in after Jerdine Farrell’s free-kick hit the crossbar – before Lagan Makin made it two soon afterwards.
Former Birmingham striker Hannah Keryakoplis struck in injury-time for Stoke but it was only to prove a consolation, as Preston moved eight points clear – though the Potters have a helpful four games in hand.
Sporting Club Albion are arguably still the danger team – they have a huge seven games in hand, 13 points behind Preston – and took another step towards sealing a play-off showdown with a 2-1 win at Derby County.
After an early setback against a dogged Derby, Leigh-Toni Dugmore equalised on 19 minutes with a cool finish
She struck again, this time from the penalty spot on the hour mark, to secure Albion’s 11th victory of the season.
Third-place Blackburn Rovers’ hopes suffered a setback however as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at a spirited Bradford City.
In an action-packed second-half, Blackburn salvaged a draw in the 87th minute thanks to Lynda Shepherd – with Bradford reduced to ten players.
Elsewhere, Nuneaton Town secured a vital 4-2 victory down at the bottom over fellow struggles Guiseley Vixens.
And Newcastle United are on the rise after a superb 1-0 win over fifth-place Nottingham Forest.
