Gemma Donnelly was pleased to see Rovers Ladies extend their unbeaten run to six games – despite twice squandering a two-goal lead twice at Sheffield United.

Maria Edwards’ first for the club put Rovers 1-0 up after 20 seconds, with Saffron Jordan making it 2-0 seven minutes in. Jade Richards added a third for Rovers, but either side of that, the hosts scored twice from the spot, to give Rovers a 3-2 half-time lead.

That’s how the scoring stayed until eight minutes from time when Courtney Sweetman-Kirk levelled for the Blades.

That result leaves Rovers still fifth in the table, and Donnelly said: “I thought we started really well. “We came here expecting a tough game because Sheffield United seem to be our nemesis.

“To get a goal so quickly and then another, you’re living the dream.

“I knew it wouldn’t stay that way and we found ourselves in an unfamiliar position to be honest.

“They’ve got back into it, we’ve gone back ahead, they came back again and it was a bit of a nail-biter again.

“I thought Sheffield United should have won, I’ll say that honestly. They broke us down, we couldn’t keep hold of the ball, but we dug deep in the second half and to come away with a point is not bad all things considered.”

There was a lengthy stoppage shortly after the Blades equaliser, with both sides returning to the dressing rooms temporarily before resuming and playing out the closing stages after Sheffield United’s Ellie Wilson was taken off on a stretcher.

Rovers are next in action when they host Leicester on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Fran Bentley has been recalled from her loan spell by parent club Manchester United.

Bentley signed on loan in the summer and played the opening four games of the season, before injury struck.

Alexandra Brooks has been in star form for Rovers, keeping five consecutive clean sheets leading into the Blades draw.