Durham 2-2 Man Utd (3-1 on penalties): Red Devils held by bogey side in Conti Cup clash

Manchester United were held to 2-2 draw by second tier Durham in the Continental Cup group stage on Wednesday for the second season in a row. Durham then went on to also claim a bonus point by winning the penalty shootout at the end of the 90 minutes.

United had struggled last season in the same fixture at Durham’s Maiden Castle home, where the artificial pitch is left unprotected from the elements. The Women's Championship side have now only been beaten once in 90 minutes in their last nine Conti Cup home games against top flight teams.

Marc Skinner had promised rotation to his team in the days leading up to the game and delivered on that with eight changes to the lineup that had started against Leicester in the WSL at the weekend.

As well as rest for regular starters, the United boss had stressed the importance of giving meaningful minutes to a number of fringe players ahead of an important chunk of the season – the Red Devils face Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City in the WSL all before mid-December.

There were chances for the likes of summer signings Adriana Leon and Aissatou Tounkara, neither of whom has yet started a league match for the club, and a full debut for Rachel Williams. Even with the mass changes, United still boasted an XI loaded with international players.

Moore gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half with a smart left-footed volley inside the penalty area, caressing the ball back goalwards as it fell towards her.

Former Liverpool and England winger Jessica Clarke pulled Durham level on the stroke of half-time, converting from Beth Hepple’s cross.

But Boe Risa, who is still yet to cement a regular place in the United since arriving in 2021, put her team back ahead in the 66th minute. The Norwegian showed great vision and audacity to lift the ball into the net first time after it came back off a defender amid claims for a handball.

By the closing stages, Durham were even reduced to 10 players when Saoirse Noonan had to go off injured with no more substitutions left. And just as it looked like United had done enough to sew up all three points, Durham got a 95th minute equaliser through Sarah Robson after a late flurry of corners.

United, who had already lost a bonus point penalty shootout against Aston Villa, handed the hosts the upper hand this time when Katie Zelem and Millie Turner missed their first two kicks. Hepple and Rio Hardy netted or Durham, before Boe Risa finally landed one for United, but when Bridget Galloway scored Durham's third and Maya Le Tissier missed for United, it was settled at 3-1.

The result keeps Durham top of the group, doubling their tally to four points ahead of Aston Villa on three and United and Everton on two apiece. Sheffield United slip to the bottom of the standings but have a game in hand. Only one team will progress to the knockout rounds after Christmas.

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