Tasha Fensome rescued a point for the Ladies with an equaliser five minutes from time in a topsy-turvy 2-2 draw with Milton Keynes on Sunday.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes, the Town won the game’s first corner. A driving run from Emily Wilson into space on the right, saw her advance into the Milton Keynes area but a recovery challenge from Luttman saw the ball go out of play for a Luton corner. Andie Dickens’ resulting delivery was looped into the centre of the area, but Ridley rose highest to head clear.

Amber Leighton was taken out by a late challenge outside of the Milton Keynes area, and the Town were awarded a free-kick. Shianne Swarres’ 25-yard free-kick failed to test Bamford who was able to comfortably hold.

There was some good play down the Luton left-hand side, beginning with Andie Dickens who flicked the ball inside to Leighton, before the midfielder returned it back to Dickens, who had began her run down the wing, after taking the ball in her stride, she attempted a low-driven ball into the area, but again Bamford was able to gather the ball.

But, with five minutes remaining at the end of the first half, the Hatters took the lead. Dickens’ throw-in was collected by Amy McLean who rolled her marker and then fired the ball past Bamford. The goalscorer was then replaced at half-time by skipper Leyah Maddix.

It was all Milton Keynes in the early stages of the second half. Sarah Hudson was called into action for the first time making a huge one-on-one save to keep the score level, just seconds after the restart.

The visitors kept the pressure up and looked to have scored on 48 minutes. Mia Richards’ effort looked to have beat Hudson, who was able to claw it away on the line. Hudson was involved again, this time to punch an MK corner to safety.

Maddix made a positive impact following her introduction after the break, some strong hold up play from the forward resulted in her slipping Wilson through on goal, but Bamford was quick off her line to prevent Wilson from having an effort on goal.

With 10 minutes to play, Milton Keynes netted a well-deserved equalizer when Maddie Pollard’s header beat the oncoming Hudson.

And just moments later, Pollard scored her second. A looped header caught Hudson off guard, giving the Town work to do heading into the final stags.

Fensome drew the gave level with five minutes left on the clock. Wilson played the ball into Fensome, who showed great strength and pace, to stride past her marker, and slot the ball past Bamford.

The Ladies are next in action in two weeks’ time when they travel to north-west London to take on London Bees.

Town: Hudson, Swarres, Tambula, Fensome, Wilson, Milliken, Dickens (sub Makowska 83), Leighton (sub Buttigieg 69), McLean (sub Maddix 46), Lewis (sub Chellenbron 90), Beaufort.

Unused subs: Blacksley, Fryer.

Report: Owen Williams Photo: Duncan Jack