Emily Heckler, Debbie Hastings and Kate Mallin were on target as Town Ladies claimed an excellent 3-2 win at Chester-le-Street.

It was the perfect way to respond to a disappointing 4-2 home defeat by Mossley Hill.

The home side went into the game top of the Northern Women’s Combination with three wins from three.

But Stockport County, who drew 3-3 at Sheffield United, are now at the summit on 10 points, with Chester-le-Street, Chorley, Town and Tranmere Rovers on nine.

And the big games are coming thick and fast, with Chorley the visitors to Storthes Hall on Sunday (2.00).

Town started brightly, creating two good chances in the first five minutes, Laura Windle and Kirsty Russell bringing good saves from the home keeper.

It was 10 minutes into the game before Chester-le-Street had their first shot, which went wide.

Town continued to pile on the pressure, and the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute, when a handball brought a penalty which Heckler converted.

Six minutes later, Heckler ghosted into midfield to pick up the ball and play the lively Hastings through on goal.

She rounded the keeper with an open goal to go for, but the angle was acute and she could only hit the outside of a post.

In the final minute of the half, Town made it 2-0, when excellent build-up play and a strong run by left-back Dominique Balmond carved the home side open for Hastings to break the line again. This time, she showed good composure to slot the ball under the keeper.

Chester-le-Street were stronger in the second half, and Town keeper Laura Carter was kept busy.

Even so, Heckler came close with a 65th-minute header, then on 70, Mallin capped a star show with a great goal, running through the defence to shoot home.

Town took on a more defensive formation but Chester-le-Street kept plugging away, pulling a goal back in the 79th minute.

Another goal in the 90th meant a nervy finish, but Town held out for victory.

Centre-back Faye Chadwick was named player of the match.

Town’s second team start their Women’s Premier League Reserve Northern Division campaign at home to Sheffield United on Sunday (2.00).

They warmed up with a 12-0 defeat of newly-formed Norristhorpe Ladies.

The junior sides are in Sheffield and Hallamshire Girls’ League action on Saturday.

The Under 16s face Sheffield Wednesday at Storthes Hall (10.30), the Under 14s go to Barnsley Ladies (11.00) and the Under 12s travel to Whiston Wildcats (10.30).

CLAIRE NEEDHAM’S sweetly-struck goal gave the new Brighouse Town Ladies side a 1-0 win over Westella & Willerby in their opening North-East Women’s Regional League Southern Division game.

Needham hit the bar before, midway through the second half, turning neatly on the edge of the area and firing home in a bright start for Rob Mitchell’s side.