SOPHIA Pharoah and Katie Wilkinson scored as Saints went second in the Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Sheffield United.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale's side opened the scoring when Pharoah nodded in from Milly Mott's excellent cross.

The visitors hit back with a stunning strike by Jodie Hutton who curled a left-footed shot into the top corner.

But Wilkinson put the hosts into the lead when her cross-shot found its way in after a brilliant opening 21 minutes.

Pharoah and Wilkinson were the two Saints changes from the 1-0 defeat to London City Lionesses prior to the international break.

The hosts dominated possession in the early stages and were rewarded for their strong start with the opening goal after 13 minutes.

Milly Mott's cross was headed in by Pharoah at the back post to get Spacey-Cale's side up and running.

Saints were not in front for long, though, as Sheffield United equalised a few minutes later when Jodie Hutton curled a wonderful left-footed shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.

It was the away side's first real attack of the game and they had capped it in some style.

Wilkinson, who was celebrating her 29th birthday, put Saints back into the lead on 21 minutes when her cross drifted over Fran Stenson in the Sheffield United goal.

Stenson had to be at her best to prevent Southampton from adding to their lead as Lexi Lloyd-Smith and Molly Pike were both denied by the 22 year old on separate occasions.

Kayla Rendell went down needing treatment at the beginning of the second half which would have been a concern for Southampton but she was soon back up and ready to continue.

Saint were denied a penalty after 61 minutes when Paige Peake's cross was headed goalwards before striking a Sheffield United arm but the appeals were turned down.

Bex Rayner almost drew the visitors level when her curling shot was blocked on its way towards goal.

Jess Sigsworth was then denied by an excellent stop from Rendell when she dummied inside the box before her strike was kept out by the Saints goalkeeper.

Spacey-Cale turned to her bench with a quarter of the game remaining as she tried to ensure her side would hold on to the three points.

Ella Morris, Alice Griffiths, and Rianna Dean were the three changes that were made with Lloyd-Smith, Chloe Peplow, and Pike making way.

Sheffield United were still pushing for an equaliser and they looked the most likely to score with a couple of shots blocked, while Saints were struggling to hit the visitors on the break.

Saints held on for the victory, though, and they now face a trip to Reading in the Continental Cup in midweek before coming up against Charlton next Sunday.