Brighton and Hove Albion denied WSL victory as Liverpool grab last-gasp equaliser

Brighton and Hove Albion Women 3 Liverpool Women 3

Brighton and Hove Albion were denied victory over Liverpool as the visitors grabbed a last-gasp equaliser at the Broadfield Stadium, Crawley, in front of almost 3,000 fans.

Missy Bo Kearns finished from close range to give the Reds the lead against the run of play after 17 minutes, latching on to a cross from Melissa Lawley.

Brighton responded four minutes later as 20-year-old England international Katie Robinson – fresh from her debut against Norway on Tuesday (15 November) – crossed the ball into the box.

Elisabeth Terland headed it home past Liverpool goalkeeper Eartha Cummings to level the scores.

Five minutes later Julia Zigiotti blasted a shot that hit Kearns’s hand. The referee awarded a penalty and Danielle Carter stepped up give Albion the lead.

Less than 10 minutes later Kayleigh Green passed to Robinson whose superb long-range strike put the Seagulls 3-1 up.

Two substitutions proved key as Liverpool fought back in the second half, with former Brighton midfielder Emma Koivisto among those testing the home defence.

The breakthrough came on 76 minutes when Shanice van de Sanden, who came on at half-time, head home a pass from Koivisto.

Two minutes into added time another sub, Rachel Furness, levelled the scores with a header from close range – and the match ended with Liverpool having doubled their goal tally this season.

The result means that the Reds, with four points, are 10th in the WSL table – above Reading and bottom side Leicester City.

Brighton are ninth, with seven points from seven games. Their next WSL fixture is in a fortnight’s time against fourth-place Manchester City.

The match against in-form City – with a run of five wins under their belt – is due to kick off at 2pm on Sunday 4 December at the Academy Stadium.