Women’s football: Crystal Palace hit two spectacular strikes to down Leicester City

Crystal Palace launched a late comeback to deny FA Women’s Championship strugglers Leicester City their first victory of the season on Sunday.

Substitute Paige Bailey-Gayle headed the Foxes into a 61st-minute lead.

But the visitors, who had missed a series of close-range chances, proved deadly from long range as spectacular strikes from Annabel Johnson and Leeta Rutherford clinched victory.

Rutherford said: “It was 1-1 with 15 minutes to go and you’ve got to take your shooting opportunitites.

“The ball has sat up nicely for me, I’ve taken a touch and seen their goalkeeper off her line, and lifted it over her and into the net. It was a nice way to get my first goal of the season.

“We had two or three very good chances before they scored and then struck from long range – it was a nice way for Annabel, our full-back, to get her first goal of the season.

“As a team we have the ability to win ugly and today was one of those days.”

The FA Women’s Championship does not resume until October 12 when Charlton, who have lost three in a row, are at home to Aston Villa.

Crystal Palace host Sheffield United Women a day later.

To follow the action, buy tickets and sign-up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage – womenscompetitions.thefa.com.