Palace crash to relegation-haunted Coventry United

Crystal Palace 0-1 Coventry United Katie Wilkinson’s header earned Coventry United just their second victory of the season as the FA Women’s Championship strugglers gave their survival hopes a lift by beating 10-woman Crystal Palace. Wilkinson steered home Olivia Fergusson’s cross midway through the second half to take United within seven points of Watford with six games to play. Palace were forced into an early change, Kirsty Barton replacing the injured Charley Clifford, but started well and created several good chances to take the lead. Alex Hennessy was denied by Lucy Thomas after being played through on goal and Molly Sharpe was next to see a shot saved, with Sophie McLean firing the rebound over the crossbar. The second half got off to an eventful start as Grace Coombs was sent off for a foul on Charlie Estcourt just outside the box. The resulting free-kick was blocked and despite being a player down, Palace were next to go close as Hennessy saw another effort kept out by Thomas after a brilliant run. Hennessy was proving tricky for United to deal with and Fergusson was booked for fouling the midfielder, though the Coventry substitute’s next impact was a more positive one. Her inch-perfect cross from the left found Wilkinson, who headed past Emily Orman and gave United a valuable lead. Palace responded by making a double substitution but they couldn’t find a way through, with the visitors coming closest in the time that remained through Elisha N’Dow’s header. To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com Crystal Palace manager Dean Davenport said: “In the first half, we started off really strong. We had seven chances and we didn’t make the most of them. The team played really well and we’re in good form. “The red card was a huge turning point in the game and but at the end of the day we just have to carry on playing. “Coventry United really needed the win and the three points, they’re fighting for their lives at the minute and they played fantastically as well. “We’re just going to focus on our game next week against Lewes and hope for the best. I’m still really proud of my team, I think they did really well.” Coventry United manager Jay Bradford said: “I’m proud of the performance. We needed the points and we’re at a place in our season that performances are not always pretty but if we can get points off the back of it, then I'm happy. “In the first half, we started slowly. We gave away quite a few chances and did things that we didn’t really need to, it was a scrappy first half. “In the second half, we showed our class. Wilkinson’s goal was an unbelievable finish after a great cross from Fergusson. “I’m looking forward to the next game now. We’ve got a big month coming up and this is the start of it so I’m delighted with the win.” Crystal Palace: Chloe Morgan, Annabel Johnson, Grace Coombs, Gracie Pearse, Kirsty Barton, Isabella Sibley, Millie Farrow, Aimee Everett, Siobhan Wilson, Molly Sharpe, Hannah Churchill Substitutes: Kirsty Barton for Clifford 12, Emily Orman for Morgan 45, Wilson for Sophie McLean 68, Churchill for Hennessy 68, Farrow for Cowan 78 Substitutes not used: Bianca Baptiste, Leigh Nichol, Coral Haines, Lizzie Waldie Bookings: Coombs 47’ Coventry United Ladies: Lucy Thomas, Elisha N’Dow, Anna Wilcox, Mollie Green, Katy Morris, Fran Orthodoxou, Nat Johnson, Charlie Estcourt, Freya Thomas, Alanah Mann Substitutes: Olivia Fergusson for Wilcox 19, Anna Colville for Thomas 90+1 Substitutes not used: Olivia Clark, Grace Riglar, Becky McGrother, Naomi Hartley Goals: Fergusson 67’ Bookings: Wilkinson 84’ Referee: Stacey Fullicks