PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Pompey Ladies came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 and move above the Seagulls in the Premier League Southern Division table.

They made a poor start, falling behind inside the opening five minutes at the Withdean Stadium.

But the Blues were soon level, with Leeta Rutherford spotting the keeper off her line and producing a fine finish from 25 yards.

And the winner arrived midway through the first half when Lucy Quinn (pictured) converted Jess Frampton cross with a thumping header.

Sadie Blakely and the Pompey back-line then stood firm to stop Brighton getting something from the game.

Joint Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “We’ve been encouraging all the players to take a few more shots on goal and that paid off with Leeta’s strike.

“Then, for the second, Jess put a fantastic cross into the box and Lucy stole in at the back post.

“She’s not renowned for her heading ability, so she might have surprised herself a bit. She timed her run really well.

“Then we had to withstand quite a bit of pressure. Brighton won quite a lot of corners and that tested us, but Sadie and the defenders coped with everything.

“It was a great all-round team performance away from home and the league table is looking a lot better.

“If we’re really up for it was can catch Gillingham and challenge at the top. That looked very distant about a month ago.”

Pompey: Blakely; Taylor, Murphy, McMillan, Frampton; Bloomfield, Rutherford, Simmonds, Quinn (Kempson 54); Hillier (c) (Bazan 78), Wilson
Subs not used: Russell, Hunt