LAUREN Allison’s first-half effort gave Oxford United Women only their second league win of the season as Millwall Lionesses went down 1-0 at Northcourt Road, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

It briefly moved Les Taylor’s side off the foot of the table, but within hours they had been leap-frogged by London Bees, who had a points penalty reinstated.

Despite going back to the bottom, the win came three days after drawing 1-1 with the Bees and Taylor is optimistic it means the side have turned a corner.

He said: “Hopefully the result will give the girls a lot more confidence because we’ve put two results together, a draw and a win, and hopefully that will continue in the next game.”

Allison stooped to head in Jemma Connor-Iommi's corner at the front post on 30 minutes after Oxford had dominated the opening exchanges.

United could have doubled the lead immediately afterwards when Ella Franklin-Fraiture was pulled down in the penalty area.

But Connor-Iommi saw her spot kick well saved by goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill.

Allison twice went close to adding to her tally after the break and Kayleigh Hines struck the bar with a ferocious header.

And the U's were almost left ruing those missed chances when Millwall’s Grace Fisk tried her luck from distance in the closing minutes, only to see her effort strike the top of the crossbar.

Oxford United: Lambourne, Hines, Osborne-Ricketts, Chivers, Stanley, Allison, Low (Pickett 82), Nutman (Pinker 82), Connor-Iommi, Alexander, Franklin-Fraiture (King HT).

Subs not used: Nichol, Marshall.

Referee: D Jacecko.

Attendance: 165.

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