Luton Town Ladies took a well-deserved point from their trip to face QPR Women at Loftus Road, with goals from Lisa Milliken and Taylor O’Leary completing a spirited recovery from 2-0 down early in the second half to draw 2-2.
The Hatters made two switches to the side that fell to a narrow defeat against London Bees a fortnight ago. Shianne Swarres stepped in for Amber Leighton, who missed out through injury, with Nicole Melling returning in net for the Town against her former side.
QPR started on the front foot, a free-kick swung in from the left was headed wide of Melling’s post by Emily Hill.
At the other end, Shianne Swarres’ long-range effort failed to test Mia Smith.
The Hoops also looked to threaten from distance, as Ellie Searle’s strike forced a strong save from Melling, Jessica Leach’s follow-up then flew narrowly wide of the target.
O’Leary sliced open the QPR defence with a perfectly-weighted through ball to Natalia Makowska, but Smith was swift off her line to thwart the ex-Rs forward.
After a dominant start to the second-half, QPR were awarded a penalty after Elizabeth Mulvaney was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area by referee Thomas Amber. Leach was denied from the spot by Melling, but the midfielder made no mistake with the rebound to give the R’s the lead.
Leach soon had her second of the afternoon. Georgie Lewin squared the ball to Leach, who finished from close-range.
However, Town hit back instantly. Milliken’s strike from well outside the box caught Smith off guard and the debutant goalkeeper was unable to hold on as the ball slipped through her grasp and into the back of the net.
Lilly Wellesley-Davies picked up the game’s first booking with less than ten minutes to play, her late foul on Makowska left the forward on the deck and unable to continue, she was replaced by Summer Gayle.
With just minutes remaining at the end of the 90, O’Leary headed the Hatters level. Andie Dickens’ delivery from the right-hand side was lofted into the area and O’Leary rose highest, heading home a powerful effort past Smith.
In the 92nd minute, Melling pulled off one of the saves of the season. A fingertip save tipped the ball onto the crossbar and the Town were able to clear.
Deep into stoppage time, Summer Gayle had an opportunity to snatch all three points, but she miscued her effort, allowing Smith to claim the ball.
Town: Melling, Blacksley, Swarres (Beaufort 69), Tambula, Fensome, Mulvaney, Maddix (Dickens 69), Milliken, O’Leary, Lewis, Makowska (Gayle 85).
Unused subs: Hudson, Fryer, Sargeant.
Goals: Milliken, O'Leary
Words: Owen Williams
Photos: Duncan Jack
