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Ella Toone, Mary Earps and Guro Bergsvand all thought they'd performed the decisive heroics in Manchester United's rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Brighton on Sunday night. But it was Rachel Williams' 98th minute equaliser that proved to be the defining moment on what was, despite the late drama, still a very disappointing day out for the Red Devils. They now sit four points off Women's Super League leaders Chelsea after winning just two of their first five games of the season.
The warning signs were there for Man Utd, who were breathing a sigh of relief when Pauline Bremer's cross-cum-shot hit Earps' crossbar with less than 20 minutes on the clock. Moments later, Jorelyn Carabali forced a good save out of the England shot-stopper and, on the half hour mark, Elisabeth Terland beat her to fire the hosts into the lead, with Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner completely unaware of the Brighton forward's presence after Toone had lost the ball in her own half.
United had plenty of chances to level the scores before the break with Geyse hitting the post, Leah Galton heading over from close range and Turner being denied brilliantly from close range by former Red Devil Sophie Baggaley. Toone would finally get that equaliser they were searching for when she hit an unstoppable strike into the top corner deep into the second half but there was still time for not one but two final twists.
After Earps had already been forced into two fine saves and Williams had hit the post at the other end, Bergsvand rose highest in the box to score an 89th minute goal that seemed certain to be the match-winner. But United have been here already this season and so has Williams. Brought on as a super sub to save the day on the opening weekend at Aston Villa, she performed more heroics on the south coast with an even later goal to snatch a point for Marc Skinner's side.
GOAL rates Man Utd's players from the Broadfield Stadium...