Norwich City Women picked up another point on the road with a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division at the MAP Group UK Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Freya Symonds opened the scored in the first half before a Grace Riglar own goal levelled the game.
Head coach Perry Northeast made two changes to the side that won away at Loughborough Lightning last Sunday. Zofia Szczech made her first league start for the club in the defence while Holly Kennard returned to the attack.
City had the first sight of the goal in the opening minutes when Kennard was picked out in the box. She checked inside and hit an effort towards goal on her left foot which was blocked.
The resulting corner was initially cleared but the Canaries kept the ball alive allowing Symonds to swing in a cross from the left. Riglar met it at the far post but headed just wide.
The hosts had a big chance to take the lead when they pounced on a mix-up at the back from City. Eleanor Christon stole the ball on the edge of the box and released Rebecca Ferguson to shoot but Eva-Jean Young was quickly on the scene to smother her effort.
The Canaries took the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first half. Szczech made strides into the box but being brought down by a heavy challenge. Symonds fired the resulting spot kick into the bottom right corner for her first goal of the season.
Middlesbrough went searching for an equaliser when Armani Maxwell produced some good hold-up play on the edge of the box before clipping a ball for Bridgit Galloway. She hit it first time towards the near post but Young was equal to her effort.
Boro made a fast start to the second half, piling pressure on the City defence. Ferguson went closest early on with a free kick struck towards the far corner but Young was down well to get hold of her effort.
The hosts equalised after 73 minutes when Maxwell broke down the right and fired in a low cross which looped into the back of the net via Riglar's miscued clearance.
Middlesbrough maintained their momentum and went in search of a winner. Ellen Turnbell crossed from the left for Maxwell who brought it down and dragged a shot wide of the far corner.
Shortly after the two combined again, this time Maxwell finding Turnbull in the box whose bouncing effort came back off the post.
Boro almost stole the points late on as Turnbull drove forward down the left and beared down on goal only to be denied by the onrushing Young. Maxwell was first to the loose ball and rattled the crossbar from close range.
The Canaries looked to create chances on the break and went close with five minutes left when substitute Niyah Dunbar drilled in a low ball from the left which Ferguson almost converted into her own net. Her blushes spared by her keeper Megan Borthwick who got down to make the save.
Neither side was able to find a winning goal before the final whistle as the points were shared in Teeside.
City return to The Nest next Sunday when they welcome West Bromwich Albion in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division.
Middlesbrough: Borthwick, Christon (Burn 67), Packham, Towers, Turnbull, Maxwell, Galloway (L Robson 67), Bell (C), Ferguson, Boyes, Skelton.
Subs not used: Cook, S Robson, Giles, Boothroyd, Mitchell.
Goals: Riglar Own Goal (73)
Bookings: Galloway (29), Ferguson (74)
Norwich City: Young; Szczech, Riglar (C), Wilson, Daviss; King (Harrison 77), Symonds, Groves; Moore, Kennard (Dunbar 57), Hailes (Densley 67).
Subs not used: Irvine, Williams, Francis, Booty.
Goals: Symonds (22)
Bookings: Daviss (75)
Half-time: 0-1
Full-time: 1-1
Venue: MAP Group UK Stadium
Referee: Nathan Alexander