Tottenham Hotspur took their unbeaten run in all competitions to six as they drew 1-1 with Brighton in the WSL.
A goal in the 81st minute from Bethany England proved to be the crucial equaliser. She latched onto a teasing cross from Ashleigh Neville from the right flank before looping it over the goalkeeper's head.
It came after a strike by Elisabeth Terland, her 13th of the season, in the 17th minute gave the visitors hope. Despite the late goal conceded, Mikey Harris' side are now five unbeaten away from home, with their last loss away from home coming in the form of a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in February.
Spurs have impressed all season, particularly against the 'non-big four' teams. They had only lost once this campaign, coming in the form of a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and Brighton nearly added to that today.
Robert Vilahamn's side controlled the match throughout, creating countless chances, but they only took advantage once. It could have been a far more comfortable afternoon for Spurs if Charlotte Grant had converted a golden chance early on. They remain sixth in the table with 27 points, eight ahead of the Seagulls in eighth.
Story of the Match
Tottenham made three changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Manchester United last weekend. Grace Clinton, Charlotte Grant and Olga Ahtinen replaced Martha Thomas, Ashleigh Neville and Drew Spence respectively.
Brighton, who were aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Everton, made six changes. Most noticeably, captain Vicky Losada returned from injury to start.
Since joining in January, right-back Grant has been a valuable squad member for Spurs. However, with Neville a regular in the backline, she has rarely started. Afforded that opportunity from minute one against Brighton, the Australian should have opened the scoring early on.
Matilda Vinberg drove forward on the counter-attack and picked out the right-back with a stunning through-ball. With time and space, Grant should have converted, but she dragged her shot wide of the left post.
The early chance foreshadowed Tottenham's threat on the counter-attack. Jessica Naz, who was being opted as a striker, and Bethany England, playing an unconventional role on the right wing, acted as focal points as Clinton consistently drove forward from the middle of the park.
However, despite their threat early on, Brighton took the lead. Just moments after missing a golden chance one-on-one with Becky Spencer, Terland fired the visitors in front from close range. Pauline Bremer whipped a stunning cross in from the right flank and Terland had her initial header saved onto the bar by the Jamaican goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to her to tap it in.
Despite conceding, Spurs continued to play expansive and attacking football as England came close to equalising in the 27th minute with a powerful shot. Yet they failed to convert any of their chances in the first half, as a robust Seagulls team continued to defend resolutely.
Clinton was always looking to act as the main figure at Brisbane Road, driving forward, looking for space and continuing to be a nuisance. She came close to equalising for Spurs at the start of the second half, breaking free on the edge of the box, but her low shot was blocked by the last defender.
Substitute Shuang Wang provided much-needed intensity for Spurs as they pushed for an equaliser. She had a powerful, curling shot from the edge of the box tipped wide by Melina Loeck. Kit Graham also came close to being the hero, but her shot in the 72nd minute was also dragged wide.
As time started to tick away, hope of a Spurs comeback continued to exist. Eventually, their pressure paid off, as captain England equalised. Substitute Neville found space on the right flank, drove forward and curled a tempting cross into the box. England met it with confidence, guiding a deflected strike over Loeck's head.
The hosts pushed for a winner in the remaining 10 minutes, but they couldn't convert. Clinton wasted a promising free header in stoppage time, as she guided it directly into Loeck's hand, whilst England rattled the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Up next, Tottenham travel to Everton next Saturday whilst Brighton host Aston Villa as they attempt to finish seventh.
Player of the Match - Eveliina Summanen
The Finnish midfielder has been a regular for Spurs this season — and she performed with her traditional confidence against Brighton.
Alongside Olga Ahtinen in the first half and then Kit Graham, she helped her side keep control of the match, even if they went 1-0 down early on.