CAPTAIN Jemma Purfield insisted Saints Women should not panic after they failed to score in a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Southampton FC Women saw their unbeaten start to life under Remi Allen ended by Rovers despite controlling the game from start to finish.

Allen admitted her side were unable to exploit their opportunities against a Blackburn side who sat back at St Mary's.

The visitors scored from their only shot of the game when Farah Crompton dinked over a helpless Fran Stenson after a long ball forward from goalkeeper Alex Brooks.

Purfield told the Daily Echo: "It's disappointing but that's football sometimes. That's the harsh reality of it.

"We will bounce back from this. We are only three games into a very long season. We are upset. We are annoyed. We will bounce back because we have a good group to do that.

"We will have to watch it back and reflect to see why things didn't click in the final third. Credit to Blackburn.

"They came with a game plan and executed it. Any team in this league can beat anybody. We have got to keep focusing on our tasks and go again in the next game.

"There were some really good spells in the game and there were some tough points. That is a 90-minute game of football. We will reflect on that.

"We will make sure that we keep creating chances and keep building. It's a long process and we are still in the early days of a long season.

"We have got to take each game as it comes. We need to move on from this because we have another game here next week. That will be our focus."

Purfield signed a new deal at St Mary's ahead of the new season before being named club captain.

She replaced the now-retired Rosie Parnell in only her second season at the club, having joined from WSL side Leicester last season.

"It's a real honour," she explained. "Southampton is a massive football club. This place has felt like home since I came here.

"I'm honoured that I can lead the girls out and what a team it is. I've taken a little bit from all the captains I've played under.

"Everyone has their own approach. I don't try to change too much. I try to be myself and look after those around me.

"I try to make sure we are all in a good headspace going into a game while also ensuring we maintain high standards.

"The new signings have been fantastic. We have a good group - as players and people. We are going to keep building on that and make sure we stay together as a squad."

Saints Women return to St Mary's on Sunday when they face winless Sheffield United, who are on no points from their first three games.