OXFORD United Women fell to their first league defeat in more than five months as their title hopes suffered a blow at MK Dons.

Sofia Stovold scored the only goal just after the hour mark as the Buckinghamshire side earned a surprise victory.

It leaves United four points behind FA Women’s National League Southern Premier leaders Ipswich Town and only nine ahead of Southampton, who have five games in hand.

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The U’s drew 1-1 with Saints four days earlier to extend their unbeaten run in the third tier to 12 matches and they moved the ball around well in the first half, without fashioning many chances.

Neither side could breach the opposition defence in an even contest, although Carly Johns was brought down when she looked set to race through on goal.

United went close twice in the first seven minutes of the second half, top-scorer Beth Lumsden shooting narrowly wide and Lily Stevens seeing an effort tipped behind.

But the U’s were stopped in their tracks in the 61st minute as Stovold met a cross at the back post and turned the ball home.

United responded well and they could not have come much closer eight minutes from time.

Lumsden tried her luck from 35 yards and the ball slammed against the crossbar before rebounding away, with MK breathing a sigh of relief.

There was still time for another chance but the U’s could not quite make it stick, condemning the visitors to their first league defeat since October 3.