Women’s football round-up: Championship table-topping Charlton held by lowly Lewes as Crystal Palace bounce back from derby defeat

Charlton Athletic missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Women’s Championship after a 1-1 draw at home to bottom-of-the-table Lewes on Sunday, writes Edmund Brack.

Substitute Tegan McGowan levelled with 10 minutes of normal time remaining to cancel out Aimee Claypole’s first-half goal.

Charlton are two points clear of second-placed Sunderland and extended their unbeaten Championship run to 12 games.

“It was quite a frustrating afternoon,” Hills told CharltonTV.

“We were completely dominant – we dominated the ball. We created so many opportunities and people are disappointed because we felt we could have come away with the three points today.

“Lewes took the one chance that they had and took it really well.

“Our one chance when Tegan comes off the bench to score an unbelievable header to get us level. It was our game to go and win but unfortunately, we couldn’t get it over the line.

“Credit to our girls, they stuck to the game plan and we were composed and played with quality.

“But in the final third, there were a couple of decisions which individuals could have done differently.

“Ultimately it’s a point that keeps us in the run-in.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence, on the front foot and with intensity.

“We want to continue to keep doing that. The players are in a good place, knowing what their roles are. We will review the game and look at the decisions in the final third. But the rest of it, we were excellent today and worthy to go on to win the game.”

Crystal Palace got back to winning ways after their derby defeat to the Addicks last time out with a 2-1 win at Southampton.

Goals from Isibeal Atkinson and Elise Hughes put the Eagles 2-0 up before half-time.

Lucia Kendall halved the deficit in the 76th minute but Palace held on to move within three points of top spot.

Laura Kaminski’s side have a game in hand over Sunderland and Charlton, the two clubs above them.

Palace have completed the signing of highly-rated 18-year-old Abbie Larkin on a permanent transfer from Glasgow City for an undisclosed fee.

The forward has penned a deal until 2026.

AFC Wimbledon kept their three-point lead over Norwich at the top of the National League Division One South East after a 6-0 win over Cambridge on Sunday.

A hat-trick from Ashlee Hincks and a brace from Emily Donavan – along with an own goal – gave the Dons all three points in front of a record 1,410 Plough Lane crowd.

Millwall Lionesses suffered a 3-2 defeat at Dartford on Sunday.

Millwall were 2-1 up in the 89th minute via goals from Shannon Drewe and Emily Taylor, but a penalty drew the hosts level before a strike in the 93rd minute gave Dartford all three points.

Chelsea stayed top of the Women’s Super League after a 3-0 win over Everton. A brace from Guro Reiten and a late strike from Erin Cuthbert wrapped up the win for the west Londoners.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD