Osset 1

Keighley Ladies 2

MARIA McARDLE grabbed three vital points for the Ladies with a classy late goal.

The game against Osset looked to be heading for a draw when they won a corner with eight minutes to go. Captain Michelle Harrison took the kick and floated the ball high across the six-yard box.

McArdle broke free of her markers and headed past the outstretched arms of the Ossett keeper who got her finger-tips to the ball, but could only push it over her head.

The Keighley side defended the final few minutes like demons, but knew they were fortunate to come away with the points after Ossett had seen numerous chances slip away.

Early in the game they shot just over the bar and hit the post leaving the Keighley side breathing sighs of relief.

As half time aproached fine defending from SophieTaylor and Hannah Nichol helped maintain their clean sheet.

A superb shot by McArdle was parried by the Ossett keeper but Frances Nichol was on hand to follow up and tuck the loose ball into the back of the net to give Keighley a 1-0 lead at the break.

Twelve minutes into the second half Ossett found the back of the net with a strike across goal that the Keighley keeper just got a touch to, but could not keep out.

The Keighley girls knew they needed a win to keep the pressure on joint leaders White Rose and Sheffield and they threw everything into attack.

The game was reaching a nail-biting climax, with Ossett going close several times before McArdle headed home the winner.