Saturday 18 April 2015 21:15, UK
Bristol Academy remained without a win in the FA WSL 1 this season after squandering a first-half lead against Sunderland.
Bristol took the lead in the 10th minute when Rachel Furness’s short pass gifted possession to Angharad James, who scored her team’s first goal of the season from over 20 yards out.
Nadia Lawrence was denied by Black Cats goalkeeper Rachael Laws soon after, and the tricky winger was also unfortunate with a dipping volley.
Both Beth Mead, who had earlier shot wide and was tackled eight yards from goal by Lauren Dykes, and Victoria Williams went close to levelling before half-time.
Mead headed Keira Ramshaw’s centre onto the bar and Williams struck to the left of the framework when well placed.
But a minute after the restart, Brooke Chaplen did draw the hosts level with a shot through a crowded box that Bristol’s 'keeper Mary Earps failed to get a strong enough hand to.
Furness atoned for her first-half mistake to give the hosts the lead after 71 minutes by heading Victoria Greenwell’s free-kick into the net, profiting from poor marking in the visitors' box.
Mead was denied twice by Earps in the final 10 minutes before Hayley Ladd applied too much power to her 93rd minute chance as Bristol chased a point.
Watch an FA Women’s Super League match near you, tickets available: http://www.ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl
