Goals either side of half-time condemned West Ham United Ladies to a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Coventry United.
Zoe Swift put the Irons ahead on 19 minutes with a looping effort which may have taken a slight deflection.
However, Coventry levelled just before half-time after the referee awarded a penalty, before the home side took the lead on 53 minutes.
Coventry could have taken the lead in the opening exchanges of the match as the home side saw an effort crash back off the cross-bar, while also failing to convert the rebound.
The Hammers made them regret that missed opportunity after 19 minutes. A low ball into the area fell kindly to Swift, who was able to coolly loop her shot over a stranded Sue Wood to give the away team the lead.
Dayna Chong, Amber Stobbs and Molly Peters all attempted efforts to double West Ham’s advantage, while Carla Salcedo also came close after an impressive team move.
At the other end Sindi Kanto earned applause from the away support for an outstanding save to keep the Irons’ lead alive while Chenise Austin was relieved to see her deflection, after a cross into the West Ham penalty area, bounce wide of the far post.
Unfortunately, Kanto couldn’t do much as Coventry were awarded a penalty eight minutes from the interval. Helen Dermondy converted from the spot to level the match.
Coventry took the lead just eight minutes into the second period after Helen Dermondy received the ball on the left-hand side, and scored at the end of a tricky run.
The Hammers continued to fight to level the match with Stobbs seeing a long-ranged effort held well by Wood and Peters a constant threat, with her pace continuing to cause issues.
Stobbs was again involved as Ellie Zoepfl came close to getting West Ham’s second. The two combined well to get the Hammers away on the counter attack, only for Zoepfl’s shot from close range to be blocked out for a corner.
As the final minutes ticked away it seemed more likely that Coventry would add a third, and the home side came close in the 90th minute, only to be stopped by another fantastic stop by Kanto.
West Ham United: Kanto; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Chong, Swift, Salcedo (Georgiou 62’), Stobbs; Peters, Zoepfl
Subs not used: R Kmita, M Kmita, , Cooper
Goals: Swift 19’,
Coventry United: Wood; Brock, Miles, Cooper, Wilcox, Buck, Dermondy (Hughes 73’), Smith, Hall, Gauntlett, Davies
Subs not used: Signwright, McDonnell, Steele, Sorensen
Goals: Dermondy 39’, Gauntlett 52’