SHANNON O’Brien snatched an 86th-minute equaliser for Coventry United Ladies to deny Blackburn Rovers in a 2-2 draw at Ewood Park.
The dramatic leveller gave United a second point of the season in the FA Women’s Championship, in a game in which the visitors found themselves behind until the closing stages – despite going in front through Amber Hughes’ early strike.
Stuart Wilson’s side remained level thanks to excellent goalkeeping from Sue Wood to keep out two efforts from Jess Holbrook, prior to the opening goal from Hughes, who dispatched into the bottom corner in a one-on-one.
Hughes felt hard done by after being denied a second by the raised flag of the linesman, a call which gave Blackburn the wake-up call needed to overturn the scores.
Just two minutes before the half-time whistle Rovers were on level terms, when Saffron Jordan tapped home after Wood failed to deal with Rhema Lord-Mears’ cross.
Jordan had her second of the game a minute after the break when curling a strike into the corner, giving United an uphill battle for the rest of the half.
Chances continued to follow for the hosts, who should have put the game out of sight, with Ellie Stewart’s strike against the bar the closest that Rovers came to a third.
Despite this, the Red and Greens held on and took their opportunity when it was presented to them.
Receiving the ball following a corner kick, O’Brien swivelled inside the box and sent her strike into the corner to earn a point.
Coventry visit Durham in a WSL Cup group game on Sunday (noon).