Bristol Academy in deeper trouble after Leeds defeat

Bristol Academy's battle to protect their FA Premier League National Division status suffered another body blow as they went down 4-0 at Leeds Carnegie.

The visitors were always going to be underdogs against one of the country's form teams, who look to have the best hope of challenging champions Arsenal for the title this season.

But Bristol looked on course for a valuable away point until the home side scored four times in the final 13 minutes.

Sue Smith broke the deadlock from a penalty, Rachel Daly doubled the lead a minute later and Carla Cantrell netted a late brace to make it four home wins on the trot for the Yorkshire outfit.

The Academy are without a game this weekend because scheduled opponents Everton have an FA Women's Cup game, but return to action the following Sunday with what could be a make-or- break home game against fellow strugglers Blackburn.

Bristol Ladies Union's remarkable run in the Premier Division of the SW Women's League continued as goals from Alicia Bravo (2), Juliette Denny, Sarah Lever, Sarah White and Katie Corkill earned them a 6-2 win over league leaders Frome Town – their fifth victory in a row.

Oldland Abbotonians also gave their survival battle a boost with a point at title hopefuls Saltash – although it was so nearly all three. Kirsty Mitchell's 30-yarder – her first goal for the club – and a Vicky Mundy strike gave Oldland a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but the Cornish club equalised in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

"I think the penny has dropped that we are in a fight to stay up and, hopefully, this performance means we have turned a corner – but we'll see," said Oldland's assistant boss Steve Lavis.

The fightback of the weekend came from Nailsea United, who were 4-1 down with 15 minutes left but still managed to secure a 4-4 draw at Division One East leaders Cirencester.

Claire Stables netted twice, with Charlotte Savage continuing the fightback, and Cath Tomlin rifled the equaliser into the top corner from a free-kick six minutes into stoppage time.

"It was an exceptional comeback from the girls," said delighted Nailsea boss Pete Barnard. "We were extremely proud of how they stuck to their tasks and battled for each other. They turned in their most determined performance of the season."

Bitton continued their march towards the Gloucestershire County Women's League Division Two title as they smashed eight goals past Mitcheldean without reply, and even had the luxury of two missed penalties.

Sharifa James and Becky Hurst both scored twice with Becky Jones, Natalie Hulbert, Leanne Jones and Laura Tugwell also on target.

In the League Cup second round, there were wins for Bristol & West, St Nicholas and Yate Town.

The quarter-finals take place on March 28, with Yate away to Cam, Bristol & West at Swindon Supermarine and St Nicholas entertaining Bitton. Wootton Bassett Town play Forest of Dean in the other tie.