Brighouse Athletic went second to Ossett Town in the West Riding Women’s League with a 3-2 win at Bradford PA.
Brighouse came out strongly, and won an early penalty when Leanne Webster was fouled, but Olivia Dangerfield’s spot kick was well saved.
The visitors did take a sixth-minute lead, however.
Dangerfield raced into the area and slid the ball across the six-yard box for Charlotte Reid to tap in.
Avenue equalised against the run of play, then went ahead with a quick follow-up goal.
But it was 2-2 at the break after Ashley Butler won a free-kick and Reid curled a brilliant shot into the top corner.
Second-half chances were few and far between, but Brighouse were looking lively down the flanks, and late on, Becky Teale went on a surging run down the right to win a free-kick which Reid delivered perfectly for Dangerfield to head in.
Manager Richard Monday said: “It was a great victory and it was good to see the battling spirit back. We weren’t at our best but still picked up three points.”
Athletic host FA Women’s Premier League side Bradford City in the West Riding FA Women’s Cup first round on Sunday (2.00).
