CHARLTON LADIES 2

Kit Graham 42, Georgia Griffin 45

BLACKBURN ROVERS LADIES 1

Lynda Shepherd (pen) 5

IT WAS play-off final heartbreak for Rovers Ladies once again as they were beaten 2-1 by Charlton Ladies at Bramall Lane.

They led in the first-half courtesy of a Lynda Shepherd penalty, but two goals in three minutes before the break tipped the game Charlton’s way.

Rovers, winners of the Women’s Northern Premier Division for the second successive season, were beaten at the same stage last season by Tottenham. They can still secure promotion to the newly-formed Women’s Championship, formerly WSL2, providing they have met the right criteria.

But should they not, boss Gemma Donnelly says it could be the biggest disappointment she’s suffered in football.

“I’m extremely disappointed, I thought we were going to do it this year off the back of last season’s disappointment,” she said. “We’ve turned up, done everything we possibly could to prepare for it but the result is as it stands.

“I’m going to have to keep my fingers crossed now to hear if we can get into the Championship through the application stage.

“It could be a disastrous day, we submitted an application but we just have to wait and see now.

“It could be the worst day in footballing history for me personally because I’m exhausted from this season.” She added: “I’d like to congratulate Charlton because they were excellent across the park and they’re such a respectful team.”

Charlton had the ball in the net as early as the third minute, only for it to be flagged offside.

But within 90 seconds Rovers were ahead. An audacious effort from Tash Flint came back off the bar, before Saffron Jordan was brought down as she went to turn in the rebound.

Lynda Shepherd made no mistake from the resulting penalty as Rovers took the lead.

It was the start of a good period of pressure for Donnelly’s side, Flint drawing a fine save from the Charlton goalkeeper midway through the half. Flint forced another save shortly afterwards, as Rovers looked dangerous.

But Charlton drew level moments after Danielle Hill had made her first real save of the match. Kit Graham hauled her side level in the 42nd minute after pouncing on some loose Rovers defending.

And then on the stroke of half-time Georgia Griffin gave the London side a surprise lead at the break.

Neither side could force many clear-cut openings after the re-start with Rovers’ best chance coming four minutes from the end, only for Tash Fenton to be denied by the bar.

There was time for Hill to make a fine penalty save to keep the score at 2-1, but Charlton held on as Rovers’ treble-winning season ended on a low note.