Plymouth Argyle beat local rivals Exeter City 2-0 in the Devon derby to close the gap on Watford at the top of the Women’s National League Southern Premier Division to just one point.
Argyle full-back Phoebe Hampson’s stunning strike from the edge of the box broke the deadlock at Home Park, before striker Tianna Teisar wrapped up the three points in additional time, slipping the ball past onrushing keeper Abbi Bond.
The win means the Pilgrims maintained pressure on Watford, who were scheduled to play fifth-placed Real Bedford on Wednesday, but the match was postponed.
Argyle’s current goal difference of 34 is six better than the Hornets’.
Just the top team wins automatic promotion to Women’s Super League 2, while the second-placed side will go into a play-off against their counterparts from the Northern Premier.
“It was definitely a game of two halves,” Argyle boss Marie Hourihan told BBC Radio Devon.
“Exeter came here to stifle us, make it difficult and frustrate us. In the first half we played into their hands, we didn’t move the ball quick enough.
“Give the opposition credit, they made it difficult. The second half we raised the intensity, but the most pleasing thing is we got the two goals and the victory.
“We’re at the final stage of the season. Points bring you prizes and we just need to maintain consistency in these last six league games now and take it down to the last match.”
Exeter stayed seventh – six points clear of the relegation zone – and head coach Abbie Britton remained upbeat.
“I thought we conducted ourselves very well,” she told BBC Radio Devon.
“Obviously they’re a full-time outfit, you can see that with the way they move the ball, but we caused them a lot of problems with our defensive shape and I think 2-0 flatters them.
“We’ve just come up a little bit short against a very good Plymouth team and there’s no shame in that.”
The National League Premier Division runs until Sunday 26 April with all matches taking place on the final day kicking off at 14:00 GMT.
