Nottingham Forest Women kept their unbeaten start to the WSL2 season alive with a 1-1 draw away to Southampton.

After a tough week, following a comeback win at Durham last weekend and a Subway Players Cup defeat against WSL side Aston Villa, Sunday’s trip to the south coast was always going to prove a tall ask, as expected by head coach Tom Mallinson.

Control was in short supply in the first half, with an end-to-end battle ensuing.

Midway through the half, Tove Almqvist forced a corner after some promising interplay with Tuva Espås.

Georgia Brougham was unable to emulate last weekend’s set-piece goal, after her flick-on across the face of goal from the corner sailed wide of the far post for a goal kick at the far post.

There were penalty appeals when Abbie Lafayette picked up a booking for a foul on the edge of the box, but the referee was immediate in his decision that it was outside the box, and therefore only a free kick.

The Saints, not for the first time, failed to capitalise on what was a very threatening opportunity, as Forest eventually dealt with it.

Another golden opportunity was denied when Cerys Brown produced a sublime goal-line block in added time to ensure that the sides remained level heading into the halftime break.

Southampton enjoyed a strong start to the second half, but Forest were quick to settle as the sides once again exchanged blow for blow as they both bid to edge in front.

They were also battling with the elements, as worsening heavy rain did little to help matters on the pitch.

Saints skipper Megan Collett was played through the Forest defence just after the hour-mark, but Chelsea loanee Katie Cox was quick off her line to meet and clear the ball, adding to her already impressive debut.

But a similar situation arose just minutes later, as Freya Jupp weaved between Brougham and Chloe Mustaki, after something of a mix-up between the usually resolute pair.

This time, there was not enough time for Cox to intervene, and she was wrong-footed as Jupp dispatched an effort across the face of goal, which fired the Saints ahead in the 63rd minute.

Forest’s attempts to pull level were immediate, and just 10 minutes after going behind they came agonisingly close to an equaliser.

Espås forced a strong save from Grace Moloney, with a powerful strike inside the box, before Brown’s follow-up was blocked behind for a corner, which did not prove fruitful.

But Forest’s persistence was rewarded when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah received the ball, in ample space, from Leticia McKenna.

The Ghanaian international drove a rocket of an effort across the face of goal, beating Moloney to draw Forest level in the 82nd minute.

A close-fought contest resumed for the closing stages of the match, and there were no further breakthroughs as Forest picked up a valuable point on the road, and kept their unbeaten league start intact.

The point saw Forest move ahead of Leicester City on goal difference, as the Reds now sit sixth in WSL2, four points shy of the play-off place.

Forest’s next game is more WSL2 action, as they host Burnley at the City Ground next Sunday, 4 October, in the final game before the international break.