Newcastle United Women 1 Nottingham Forest 0 | OneFootball

Both sides cancelled each other out for large portions of the match but when the game needed a spark the most, McQuade was on hand to produce a goal-of-the-season contender.

The only piece of magic in the game was saved for the 76th minute, when McQuade took a touch out of her feet 25 yards from goal, before her effort cannoned off the bar, goal line and crossbar one more time before creeping into the back of the net.

After a tough opening half an hour for both sides, Amy Andrews was slipped in behind, but her quick strike sliced wide of Emily Batty's near post from an acute angle.

United began to grow slowly into the game, with their biggest threat coming down the right. Isabella Sibley sprung the offside trap before teeing up Lia Cataldo, whose whipped effort sailed over the crossbar.

It was a much brighter start to the second half for United, with a pair of last-ditch blocks from Forest denying both Katie Barker and Sibley from inside the 18-yard box.

Forest continued to pose a threat on the counter and came within inches of taking the lead. Mel Johnson peeled off the United backline before a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Millie Chandarana, who could only sweep her effort wide of the target.

The game began to open up on the hour mark when Hannah Greenwood's long ball was perfectly controlled by Andrews, who flicked it over Mollie Green's head before her half-volley forced a great low save from Batty.

With a little over 15 minutes left to play, substitute Shania Hayles saw a bouncing ball land at her feet, but pressure from two Forest defenders was enough to put her slightly off balance and she swiped at her effort from the penalty spot.

Both sides struggled to make any chances count and break each other down until substitute McQuade unleashed her rocket of a strike.

Just moments after four minutes were indicated for second-half added time, Johnson looked to have the beating of Claudia Moan, only for United's goalkeeper to produce a world-class dive and tip her effort over the crossbar.

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Lia Cataldo, Deanna Cooper, Hannah Greenwood, Demi Stokes, Amber-Keegan Stobbs (c), Lois Joel, Emma Kelly (Jasmine McQuade 44), Katie Barker, Amy Andrews (Ava Chapman 85), Isabella Sibley (Shania Hayles 65)

Subs not used: Grace Donnelly, Hannah Hawkins