PLYMOUTH Argyle suffered injury-time heartbreak as AFC Wimbledon snatch a 2-2 draw in the dying seconds of their FA National Women’s Southern Premier Division match at Home Park on Sunday.
It looked like the Pilgrims were going to claim a much-needed win in front of 1,622 supporters to move out of the bottom two.
But they ended up having to settle for just a point that means they will go into their final match of the season sitting in the relegation places, but they are level on points with 10th-placed Billericay.
Argyle will play Gwalia United away in their final match, while Billericay will head to AFC Wimbledon in the battle to avoid finishing in the bottom two.
However, both teams could yet stay up, depending on who is relegated from the Championship. Only one team, instead of two, is going to come down from the league above after Reading dropped out of the league and that will have a knock-on effect down the pyramid.
But Argyle will not want to leave anything to chance and so will be desperate to win their final match.
They will have taken encouragement from their display against AFC Wimbledon.
They were leading 1-0 at the break after captain Giota Popaioannou fired home after a goal-mouth scramble in the 32nd minute.
The Dons equalised 10 minutes into the second half when Ashlee Hincks curled an effort into the top corner, but within nine minutes Argyle had gone back in front with a stunning long-range effort from Georgie Wilson, which bounced off the underside of the crossbar.
Argyle battled hard to keep hold of their lead, but four minutes into extra-time Wimbledon levelled with a goal from Kelly-Jade Whelan.
South West Women’s Premier Division leaders Marine Academy Plymouth have stayed eight points clear at the top after they enjoyed a 7-0 away victory at Bishops Lydeard in their penultimate league match.
Captain Samantha Drewery hit four of Marine’s goals in Somerset, with Chloe Kind, Kayleigh Tuner and Maisie Powell-Rider also on the scoresheet.
Second-placed Torquay United do have three games in hand on Marine, but the sides also have to play each other on May 4, which will probably decide the outcome of the title.
In South West Division One South, leaders Plympton returned to winning ways with a 2-1 home victory over Weymouth at Bull Point.
Elsa Finnegan and Izzy Rogers scored Plympton’s goals as they moved three points clear of Saltash United, who do have two games in hand.
The Ashes were without a league game this weekend as they played in the Cornwall Cup final on Friday – a match they lost 3-2 on penalties to Helston Athletic after the game finished 0-0 at full-time.
In the Devon League South & West Division, Signal Box came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with neighbours Lakeside Athletic at Manadon.
Angel Goucher fired Lakeside in front in the 34th minute before Lilly Vessey added a second for the visitors from long range 10 minutes later.
But on the stroke of half-time, Erin Rumble pulled a goal back for Signal Box and then after half-time Phoebe White beat the offside trap to score a fine goal from the left.
Signal Box did finish strongly but could not find a winning goal.
Hunters District were beaten 6-0 away at Plainmoor, while Tavistock were unable to get a side out to play leaders Horrabridge Rangers on Sunday.
In the Devon League Cup quarter-finals, Elm United progressed with a 4-3 home victory over Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police.
In the Cornwall Women’s Divisional Cup, Saltash Borough booked their place in the final with a 5-1 home victory over RNAS Culdrose at Saltmill.
Rachel Finch scored two of Borough’s goals with Jodie Randall, Harriet Howell and Sam Burnham also on the scoresheet.
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