A 93-minute equaliser saw Sunderland Women rescue a draw at the death against Charlton Athletic Women in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Jessica Brown opened the scoring in the 61st minute, but two quickfire goals from Melissa Johnson saw Charlton take a lead going into the final period of the game.
Grace McCatty entered the pitch in the 78th minute and scored in stoppage time to earn a valuable point.
Neither side created many chances in the opening spell of the game. Charlton’s Heidi Logan forced a save from Claudia Moan, with the Lasses goalkeeper keeping hold of the second ball.
Sunderland’s first big chance came from a corner as the ball landed at the feet of Neve Herron, whose shot was deflected and saved by the feet of the Charlton goalkeeper.
Mel Reay’s side threatened again as Brenna McPartlan played a brilliant switch of play to Brown, who collided with the ‘keeper, with Emma Kelly and Katy Watson both having rebounds dealt with.
Brown broke the deadlock in the second half, cutting onto her left foot and swinging a cross to the back post which flew past everyone and into the far corner.
Charlton equalised in the 72nd minute following a mix-up at the back, with Johnson running through and slotting her shot into the corner.
Johnson doubled her tally two minutes later to give the Addicks the lead with around 15 minutes to go.
The Lasses battled to the end and got their rewards as McPartlan flicked a header into the box, and McCatty arrived late to smash her shot into the net.
With a vital point earned and four games to go, the Lasses can mathematically confirm Championship status for next season against Crystal Palace at Eppleton next week.
SAFC Women: Moan, Beer (McCatty 78’), Herron, Westrup, Morgan, Kelly © (McInnes 88’), McPartlan, D.Brown, J.Brown (Griffiths 78’), Watson, Ejupi.
Substitutes: Cowling, Borthwick, Ede.