SAINTS Women became the first team to pick up a point away to Oxford United, when they drew 1-1 with the promotion rivals on Wednesday.

Alisha Ware scored in back-to-back matches to hand Saints the lead within seven minutes, but the hosts had levelled through Carly Johns before half-time to split the spoils.

The result means Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side remain 10 points behind Oxford in second, and 11 behind Ipswich Town at the very summit of the table.

However, Saints have five matches in hand on both of the teams, and can go top of the table as they target promotion to the Championship this season.

It was only the second time Saints had not won a league match this campaign, with the other coming in the shape of a loss to Ipswich – who also knocked them out of the FA Cup on penalties.

Lucia Kendall, Milly Mott, Ella Morris, Leeta Rutherford all came into the side after being rested during the successful National League Cup semi-final at the weekend.

Laura Rafferty was called into action in the first-half to produce a goalline clearance, before Johns did eventually haul back the one-goal advantage.

Saints thought they had a winner five minutes from full-time, when Ware played through substitute Sophia Pharoah to tuck away with her first touch – but for the linesman to rule it out.