Brighton and Leicester played out a drab 0-0 in grey, windy conditions at Broadfield Stadium.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity finished the happier of the two sides, clinching the extra point after a 4-3 win on penalties.
Brighton struggled to escape their own territory for much of the opening exchanges. A turnover from captain Vicky Losada allowed Yuka Momiki to find Hannah Cain in the box. Makeshift defender Maisie Symonds slid across in the nick of time to deflect the goalbound effort.
Albion may have felt hard done by to not receive a penalty on 23 minutes. Michelle Agyemang linked up well with Madison Haley before the former looked to have been brought down by Julie Thibaud. Referee Joanne Horwood was not receptive to Albion appeals.
Leicester looked the brighter of the two sides. Moments after crashing the crossbar with a Momiki effort, City had the ball in the net. Symonds’ pass was intercepted by Momiki, and her curled effort was palmed out by Melian Loeck. Saori Takarada was on hand to tap home, but the offside flag was raised.
Lize Kop was the hero of the shootout, saving the penultimate penalty low to her right from Symonds.
The result leaves Group D tightly poised ahead of the final round of fixtures.
