Despite a resilient performance the Hatters’ eight-game unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of the new league leaders Fulham Women on Sunday.

As expected, Fulham started on the front foot. A curling shot from distance was the game’s first effort, although it failed to test Nicole Melling who claimed the ball comfortably.

After a dominant spell on the ball from the visitors, the Town snatched the ball and set off on a counter, until it was abruptly ended by Izzy Milne, who clipped Emily Wilson from behind on the halfway line, resulting in a free-kick and a moment of rest for the Ladies. The subsequent free-kick was delivered by Lisa Milliken, but to no avail, with Fulham able to clear.

The Town grew into the game as the half went on. A smart flick from Elizabeth Mulvaney attempted to set Wilson through on goal, but goalkeeper Frankie Gibbs was quick off her line to scoop the ball up.

Natalia Makowska found herself in space out on the right-hand side and floated the ball towards the lurking Tasha Fensome at the back-post, but again, Fulham were able to deal with the threat.

The Ladies’ best chance of the half came on the half-hour mark. Makowska was wiped out as the Town surged forward, but the referee played the advantage which allowed Andie Dickens to gather the ball and play it down the line to Fensome. She looked up and saw Shanice Lewis and Wilson charging into the area, but the ball managed to evade both players, allowing Fulham to reclaim possession.

With 25 minutes to play, the Town’s resilience was broken. Substitute Leila Lister made the most of an unfortunate deflection off Chloe Tambula and fired the ball past Melling to send her side top of the league.

A nasty collision in the Fulham penalty area between Mulvaney and two Fulham players left all three on the ground and needing treatment. Mulvaney was not able to continue and she was stretchered off the pitch, with Amber Leighton replacing her.

There was no other sight on goal from either team, who cancelled each other out well. Fulham go top of the league while the Town remain in sixth place and clear of the bottom two.

Town: Melling, Blacksley, Swarres, Tambula, Fensome, Mulvaney (Leighton 78), Wilson, Milliken, Dickens (Maddix 90), Lewis (Bowman 83), Makowska (McLean 83)

Unused subs: Hudson, Chellenbron.

Report: Owen Williams Photos: Duncan Jack