Match reportLFC Women defeated by Leicester City in WSL

Sunday’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash was decided by an early Hannah Cain goal, with the Reds unable to force an equaliser despite their second-half domination.

Matt Beard’s side twice went agonisingly close to levelling, with the returning Natasha Dowie hitting the crossbar with a header and Missy Bo Kearns striking the post in the 93rd minute, but they go into the international break on the back of a disappointing defeat.

Liverpool were lacklustre in the early stages and were punished when Cain swept in a first-time finish from a corner that was cut back into her path.

Superb footwork from goalkeeper Rachael Laws enabled her to readjust and tip CJ Bott’s deflected long-ranger onto the crossbar as a buoyant Leicester sought to capitalise further on the hosts’ below-par start.

Slowly but surely, Beard’s team grew into the contest and, as per usual, Megan Campbell’s long throw-ins were proving to be a dangerous weapon.

Jasmine Matthews and Rhiannon Roberts got in each other’s way from one Campbell throw, before Ceri Holland spun and saw a shot deflect wide following another delivery from the Republic of Ireland international.

There was a marked increase in Liverpool’s intensity at the beginning of the second half.

Melissa Lawley emerged as their chief attacking threat and the forward cut inside off the left and struck from distance, only for her attempt to be held by Janina Leitzig.

Beard introduced January arrivals Sofie Lundgaard and Dowie around the hour mark and, soon after, Holland was beaten to Kearns’ cross by her marker at the back post as she looked certain to head home.

Lawley was causing Leicester no end of problems after switching to the right flank and it was her surge and ball in that led to Dowie so nearly notching on her second debut for the club.

Dowie got to the rebound quickest after desperate defending had denied Holland but could only nod the ball onto the bar from close range.

Somehow the visitors escaped again in stoppage time, when another Campbell throw caused havoc and Kearns seized on the loose ball but hit the inside of the post.

And there was still time for Holland to see a back-post volley blocked as Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon.

Liverpool FC Women: Laws, Roberts (Daniels, 51), Bonner, Matthews, Campbell, Hinds (Lundgaard, 61), Nagano, Kearns, Holland, Lawley, Stengel (Dowie, 61).

Unused subs: Cumings, Kirby, Robe, Taylor, Silcock.