Sunderland Women suffered defeat against Reading on the road in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Madison Perry’s 77th-minute goal was the difference between the two sides at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The Lasses had the first opportunity four minutes into the game, with Katie Kitching swinging a free-kick in, with Amy Goddard heading wide.
Charlie Estcourt offered a threat in the 15th minute for the home side, striking a shot over the bar.
The Lasses almost took the lead 31 minutes in, with the ball being crossed to the back post and deflecting off a Reading player, but Emily Orman made the save to deny the own goal.
Mel Reay’s side were down to 10 players four minutes later after Louise Griffiths received a red card for a foul.
On the stroke of half-time, Claudia Moan was called into action, making an outstanding triple save to deny the Royals a goal going into the interval.
The Black Cats responded well to the dismissal, with substitute Jenna Dear receving the ball in the box and curling a shot with the outside of her foot towards the corner, but the goalkeeper made a good stop to deny the number 23.
Despite a good spell of pressure from Sunderland, Reading took the lead with a low ball into the box falling to Perry, who slotted her shot into the corner.
The Lasses have a quick turnaround as we are back on the road against Chelsea in the Conti Cup on Wednesday before hosting Lewes on February 18.
SAFC Women: Moan, Brown (Watson 46’), Goddard, Westrup ©, Griffiths, Fenton, Rouse, Kitching (Dear 46’), McAteer (Ejupi 46’), Jones (McCatty 46’), Scarr.
Subs not used: Borthwick, Ede, McInnes, Beer, Corbyn.