OXFORD United Women and Southampton could not be separated in a closely-fought clash between the title rivals at Court Place Farm.

The visitors took an early lead through Alisha Ware, but Carly Johns struck her 11th goal of the season just before the break to ensure the points were shared.

United went close several times in the second half but could not find the winner that would have sent them top of FA Women’s National League Southern Premier.

Their run of 11 straight victories comes to an end, while they dropped points for the first time since October 3, but that is no disgrace against a strong Saints side.

The game began at a furious pace as both teams looked to assert themselves and Southampton took just seven minutes to break the deadlock.

The visitors attacked down the right and Lucia Kendell crossed for Ware, who had time and space to slot into the bottom corner from close range.

Southampton were in control and United had a hard time getting back into the game, although they almost equalised out of nothing midway through the half.

Sarah King pounced on a mistake at the back and took the ball around goalkeeper Kayla Rendell, but the angle was tight and a defender recovered to clear off the line.

United’s front two had very little joy during the first half, but Johns only needed one chance to level the scores.

A Saints defender headed into no-man’s land and the forward was first to the loose ball, before bursting into the penalty area and finishing low past Rendell.

United started the second half on the front foot and Daisy McLachlan curled over as she tried to bend an effort into the far corner, before Johns beat a defender and fired straight at Rendell from a tight angle.

Southampton were inches away from restoring their lead moments later, as Riva Casley’s excellent block fell kindly for Katie Rood to shoot just wide.

United went close from a pair of free-kicks either side of the hour mark, Beth Lumsden fizzing the first just over the crossbar from the right side.

The next chance was less intentional as the visitors allowed Hannah Mackenzie’s set-piece to bounce in the penalty area, with the ball looping agonisingly over the crossbar.

Kayleigh Hines replaced Lily Stevens shortly after as United made their first change, while Georgie Freeland and Ella Pusey came on for Shelly Provan and Rood.

Substitute Sophia Pharoah put the ball in the net five minutes from time in her first action since coming on, but the offside flag saved the U’s from a first home league defeat since October 2019.

Oxford United (4-4-2): Kite, Mackenzie, Casley, Beaver, Alexander, King, Haynes, Stevens (Hines 66), McLachlan (Williams 87), Johns, Lumsden.

Unused subs: French, Sims, Wallace.

Booked: None.

Southampton (4-3-3): Rendell, Mott, Parnell, Rafferty, Provan (Freeland 65), Williams, Rutherford, Morris, Kendall (Pharoah 82), Ware, Rood (Pusey 76).

Unused subs: Luce, Watling.

Booked: None.

Referee: Sophie Dennington.

Attendance: 505.