The league title is no longer in the Gillingham Ladies hands after they were beaten 3-0 at home by Coventry Ladies on Sunday afternoon.
Two goals in the space of two first half minutes from Coventry striker Helen Dermody made it a mountain to climb for the Gills in the glorious sunshine at Chatham Town.
Despite Coventry being reduced to ten men with seventeen minutes left to play when Nikki Miles was given a straight red card for kicking out at Jade Keogh, they went on to score another in the 84th minute with sub Marie Gaultlett capitalising on a mistake at the back from Charlotte Gurr to make it 3-0.
The loss sees Coventry pull to within a point of Gillingham Ladies at the top of the league and despite Cardiff losing 2-1 at Lewes, Gills have to hope Coventry either lose or draw at Portsmouth next week to secure the league title.
It had been Gills Ladies that made the brighter start to the game with Deanna Cooper heading narrowly wide from Charlotte Gurr’s corner, whilst the midfield controlled the battle in the middle of the park.
However, two goals in little over a minute turned the game beyond the reach of Gillingham Ladies.
A Nikki Miles cross from the left fell kindly to Dermody who made no mistake slotting the ball past Faye Baker in the Gillingham goal.
Watched on by Gillingham Chairman, Paul Scally, the Ladies found themselves 2-0 just a minute later with Dermody repeating her earlier effort.
If that wasn’t bad enough for Gills Ladies, they were to lose striker Lisa Fulgence just five minutes later with what turned out to be a broken collar bone.
Gills had a golden chance to pull one back before the break, but Fliss Gibbons was to blaze over with the goal at her mercy from Emma Tune’s flick on.
Once again it was Gillingham that started the second half the brighter of the two sides, and they were handed an advantage when Miles was sent off for Coventry.
However, the visitors were to adapt well to the numerical disadvantage and reacted well to everything Gills Ladies threw at them.
The sucker punch came with six minutes left as Charlotte Gurr, now playing in a defensive role, got caught napping on the edge of her own area and sub Marie Gauntlett nipped in to score.
That put the icing on the cake for Coventry who did a job on The Gills, who must now hope Portsmouth Ladies do them a favour in a week’s time.
Gills Ladies line up: Faye Baker, Lauren Williams, Jade Keogh, Deanna Cooper, Amy Taylor, Rachel Ahern, Charlotte Long (Lauren Davis 61), Emma Tune, Lisa Fulgence (Nikita Whinnett 37), Charlotte Gurr, Fliss Gibbons.
Subs not used: Lauren Phillips, Catherine Cooper, Emma Wood.
Coventry Ladies line up: Susan Wood, Annabel Johnson, Nikki Miles, Hayley Ladd, Natasha Lynch, Kimberley Walton, Ashleigh Neville, Rebecca Anderson, Destiney Toussaint (Marie Gauntlett 57), Helen Dermody, Natalie Brace (Karen Clough 88).
Sub not used: Stav Williams.
Goals: Dermody (31) & (32), Gauntlett (84).
Sent Off: Miles (73).
Referee: Mr David Simpson
Assistants: Mr Michael Johnston & Mr James Finch.
Attendance: 242
Pictures supplied by Julian Hart Photography.