Durham record historic penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in the Conti Cup | OneFootball

Second tier club Durham have defeated Manchester United 3-1 on penalty kicks in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup at Maiden Castle this evening.

The visitors were twice pegged back by Durham as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in normal time before The Wildcats converted all of their spot kicks to win the shootout.

Manchester United started the match strongly and an early corner caused panic in the Durham box but the hosts managed to clear their lines. Rachel Williams then struck an effort wide at the end of a flowing attacking move before the same player sent a header off target from a free-kick.

Durham struggled to get any control of the ball in the opening exchanges and they were punished in the 22nd minute when Manchester United took a deserved lead. After The Wildcats had failed to clear the danger, Jade Moore emphatically volleyed the ball into the corner of the net.

That goal forced a reaction from the hosts who were much better for the remainder of the half. They started to attack Manchester United and on the stroke of half-time, they got their reward when Jess Clarke bundled the ball in following a free-kick.

The start to the second half was relatively even with both sides creating half-chances. Durham’s Mollie Lambert crossed the ball into the feet of Bridget Galloway who couldn’t take advantage before Williams thumped a shot wide at the other end.

Manchester United regained the lead just after the hour when a long ball caused problems for Durham and it fell nicely to Vilde Bøe Risa who spectacularly found the top corner of the hosts’ net.

The visitors pressed for a third goal and Katie Zelem fired an effort off target before Nikita Parris failed to beat home keeper Naoisha McAloon with a lob.

Durham had to finish the contest with 10 players after striker Saoirse Noonan suffered an injury late in the game. The Wildcats had used all of their permitted substitutions before the incident. Lee Sanders’ side maintained their shape and even attacked their higher division opponents in the remaining minutes.

Manchester United looked set to claim the three points but they were again stung by a Durham set piece as Sarah Robson bundled in from a corner with virtually the last kick.

In the penalty shootout, Manchester United missed three of their four penalties while Durham converted all of theirs to secure a famous win.