Huddersfield Town Ladies, weakened through illness and injuries, found Northern Women’s Combination leaders Mossley Hill too strong.

They went down 3-1 in a heated match on Merseyside, and are fourth, four points behind the Liverpool side but with two games in hand.

Town started the brighter and went ahead in the seventh minute, when an Alice Linsell corner caused a goalmouth scramble in which Katie Nutter poked home from close range.

A number of good chances followed, most falling to Debbie Hastings, whose pace took her beyond the home defence on a regular basis.

But in the 29th minute, Mossley Hill equalised when a long free-kick was poorly defended and turned home.

Five minutes later, the home side went ahead through a controversial free-kick, while Linsell hit against the bar in the 40th minute.

Alarna Fuller did the same two minutes into the second half, and Hastings had a number of good chances, but couldn’t make them count.

Town were caught on the break in the 65th minute, and despite a strong effort, could not claw their way back into it.

Chorley Ladies is the destination for Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup first-round clash (1.30). Brighouse Town Ladies go to Whitley Bay (1.00).

Town Ladies’ seconds had only 10 fit players for their Women’s Premier League Reserve Northern Division clash at Derby County, who won 7-0.

Town, who are second-bottom, have a home derby against leaders Bradford City at Storthes Hall on Sunday (2.00).

The Under 16s stayed top of their Sheffield & Hallamshire League section with a 5-0 win at Sheffield United Junior Blades.

The win was built on a solid defensive effort – that’s two clean sheets on the spin – with keeper Emelia Samuels impressive.

Chloe Hellawell scored the first, turning the ball home after her initial shot was parried, and player of the match Ella Gill added another from distance before the break.

Katie Lockwood showed great composure to make the most of Jess Holland’s pass and slot the ball home, then finished off a neat cross by Maddie Walsh.

Lockwood twice hit the woodwork before Lauren Buckley wrapped up the scoring, shooting home from the rebound after her shot was saved.

There is no match this weekend, but the Under 14s travel to Sheffield Ladies on Saturday (11.00) after a 4-1 home win over Millmoor Juniors.

It’s seven wins from eight league games for Town, who took an early lead through Ella Harris, who then set up Tara Duce for a slick finish.

Keeper Isobel Pare was playing well, but couldn’t prevent Millmoor pulling one back with a looping shot.

Player of the match Harris struck again after a Duce shot was parried early in the second half, and Amy Broomhead added a fourth.

The Under 12s bounced back from two defeats to score a hard-earned 3-1 home win over Dronfield Town.

Alicia Marriott had an early chance which was well saved before Molly Ellis notched from close range after a shot by her twin sister Macy was blocked.

Town stopper Meg Howarth made a couple of telling saves, but Dronfield equalised 10 minutes into the second half.

Marriott and Olivia Burgin were working well in midfield, and the former put Town back in front before Burgin netted after Molly Ellis hit a post.

Right-back Frances Keddie was played of the match for Town, who are without a game this weekend.