SAINTS Women rescued a point at league-leaders London City Lionesses with a late penalty to stay unbeaten since the opening day of the Championship season.

Paige Peake scored from the spot in the final minute of regulation time to secure the 1-1 draw and see Saints visit top of the table without defeat for a third time this campaign already.

Head coach Marieanne Spacey-Cale had warned the Daily Echo in the build-up to the contest that the Dartford-based opponents could be their toughest yet, and they proved a challenge.

Goalkeeper Kayla Rendell was forced into a quadruple save inside just eight minutes and was called into action from close-range again later in the half.

Beth Lumsden and Ella Morris had the Saints chances before London City Lionesses opened the scoring deep in the second-half, leaving just 18 minutes for a reply.

Spacey-Cale had made a couple of changes but it was the centre-back stalwart who finished to pull Saints level seconds from time.

The result extends the league unbeaten run to nine matches with a break from Championship action now until the New Year, currently sitting fourth with 19 points from 10 matches.

Saints turn their attentions to the FA Cup now with a trip to promotion rivals Bristol City on Sunday, December 11.

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