Lincoln City lost 3-2 to Boldmere St Michael's in the wind at the Elite Performance Centre.
The Imps almost took an early lead as Chantelle Robinson sent in a cross from a tight angle but no one was there to tap the ball in.
The next real chance came in the 12th minute as Cassie Steward took a shot from the edge of the box that the Jodie Whiteman tipped wide. The corner resulted in a header sent far too high.
Against the run of play, Boldmere took the lead in the 18th minute when Lana Timson made a strong save but Pip Wilson scored from the rebound. The visitors piled on the pressure after getting the scoring underway with Nyah Edwards creating some strong chances. Timson made a few more saves.
Leah Hardy provided the Imps’ next attempt on goal with a shot from 20 yards out that went just high. Down the other end of the pitch, the visitors almost doubled their lead but were denied by a strong, last-ditch tackle from Rachael Howes.
Steward put in a strong cross just before half time that resulted in a corner. Maddi Green stepped up to take it and Ella Thompson-Moulding headed the ball past the keeper. Hardy took a free kick from 30 yards out that went inches high before getting another chance following the goal kick.
From picking up the ball even further out, she lobbed the keeper while off balance to make it 2-1 just before the break.
Faith Horner replaced Katie Williams at half time and both sides got off to fast starts. It was almost three for the Imps after McHamilton and Steward combined in the box, but Whiteman made a diving save.
Boldmere levelled from distance with a goal to rival the quality of Hardy’s. On the hour mark, Hayleigh Sutton had a strike from 30 yards out that caught the wind just right and went high into the top corner. They continued to push and hit the side netting not long after.
The attempts kept coming. Some incredible solo work from Robinson almost helped Lincoln regain the lead before Boldmere went straight down the other end and had quickfire shots from close range.
As Lee Mitchell continued to make changes – Lucy Farrow and Millie Quaintance coming on, the Imps kept pushing.
In the dying minutes, the visitors took the lead following a corner. Jess Keeling scored from close range. Lincoln had a couple more attempts and Hardy was sinbinned in the final minute.