St Albans 1, Harleston Magpies 1

Harleston Magpies lost their points advantage at the top of the Investec Women's Conference East table after honours were shared in their clash with title rivals St Albans.

With four games remaining Magpies will be happy to retain top spot on goal difference from Sevenoaks, who beat Horsham 1-0, leaving St Albans in third, three points behind.

St Albans were playing on a new pitch at Oaklands College, but it was Magpies who dominated the first 15 minutes without finding a breakthrough.

The best chance fell to Angie Wheelhouse from a great pass by Emma Lee-Smith, but the goalkeeper was quickly off her line to smother Lee-Smith's shot at the top of the circle.

The Magpies keeper was rarely troubled, thanks to some excellent defending by Louisa Greenacre and Debbie Frances as the half finished goalless.

The second period was much more open and lively as both sides went for the win.

It was St Albans who struck first with a well-hit shot following a counter-attack down the right, but Magpies hit back four minutes later with a brilliant solo effort by Hannah Palmer, who dribbled past two defenders and the keeper before slotting home.

St Albans had a goal disallowed and Emma Lee-Smith went very close on two occasions, before a frenetic final few minutes which saw Magpies finish the game with nine players and St Albans with 10.