Ladies: Arsenal 1-1 Leeds United

Arsenal Ladies came within inches of losing their coveted
unbeaten record as they played out a 1-1 draw against Leeds United
at London Colney on Wednesday night.

Karen Carney had slipped the hosts ahead midway through the
first period, latching onto a long ball, and although Arsenal had
chances to put daylight between them and their opponents the
deficit stayed at one until the break.

But within a minute of the restart things changed. Leeds forward
Jade Moore was afforded the freedom of the offensive third and
confidently guided the ball home under substitute 'keeper
Rebecca Spencer.

From that point on it was one-way traffic, but a combination of
smart shot-stopping, the post and wastefulness from Arsenal ensured
that the watching crowd remained on tenterhooks until the end. And
the nerves were jangled most notably when, in stoppage time, Sue
Smith curled a sumptuous effort a hair's breadth wide of the
right-hand post. 

The draw, only the second time since November 2005 the Gunners
have dropped points, brought the curtain down on a long hard season
for the Gunners. 

Another 'Double' for Vic Akers' side was secured in
the FA Women's Cup Final at the start of May. It isn't
quite the show-stopping 'Quadruple' of last year but, after
a draining World Cup at the start of the campaign, the Ladies can
look back at their achievements with a sense of pride

.