Mansfield’s Jo Potter scores winner as Birmingham City Ladies extend lead at top of FA Women’s Super League table

The former Manor student scored direct from a corner on 48 minutes to seal City’s third league win on the spin and effectively end Notts County’s own title hopes.

It was the first time that County, who were looking to bounce back from the midweek defeat at Man City, have been beaten at Meadow Lane this season.

But the Lady Pies once again struggled to find the cutting edge and firepower needed to breakdown to league leader’s rock solid defence, with only Jess Clarke able to hold her head up high amongst the forward players.

Notts County had started well and went close on 9 minutes when the lively Jess Clarke fired a curling effort inches wide after she beat a defender to cut inside the box.

Birmingham defender Aoife Mannion almost poked into her own net on 19 minutes as she attempted to stop Clarke outpacing her as she attempted to latch on to Sophie Walton’s teasing ball over the top.

The best chance of the half fell to City’s Hannah Keryakoplis in first-half stoppage time after Karen Carney found plenty of space down the right flank.

But Keryakoplis could only head tamely at Carly Telford despite being unmarked and four yards out.

The league leaders came out with an increased tempo and more ambition after the break and took the lead on 48 minutes when Potter’s corner proved too hot to handle for Telford.

From that point on there was only one winner as toothless County failed to convert possession into meaningful goal chances, with Becky Spencer in the City goal untested.

The result means Birmimgham have extended their lead at the top of the table to three points over nearest challengers Chelsea.

Notts County (4-3-3): Telford; Turner, Brogan, Corsie, Walton; Holtham, Hoyle (Unitt 73), Scott; Roberts (Friend 78), Susi (Whelan 85), Clarke. Subs not used: Draycott, Haywood, O’Neill

Birmingham (4-5-1): Spencer; Weston, Mannion, Harrop, Carter; Potter, Moore; Allen, Carney (c), Lawley; Keryakoplis (Linnett 45). Subs not used: Simpkins, Wellings, George, Westwood, Torkildsen, Rogers.

Attendance: 782.

Ref: C. Ward.