The Strikers came from behind to split the points with a 2-2 scoreline against Preston Lions in round seven women's state league one.

Ballarat trailed 2-1 at the 82-minute mark of Sunday's clash at BT Connor Reserve, but were saved by Natalie Barbara and Erin Plucke, who combining for a brilliant cross that Al-Huneidi to net a header.

The Strikers dominated the first half, but it was the Lions who broke through for the first 22 minutes in, when Diana Piculovski took advantage of confusion between Beth Taylor keeper Jasmina Zdelar to score on the goal line.

It took just four minutes for the Strikers to reply through Al Huneidi, who ran onto a cunning long range lob from Barbara.

The Strikers took the momentum heading into the break, but it was Preston that came out firing on the restart.

The Lions profited from Ballarat's depleted defence, which was missing Holly Williamson at the start of the match and lost Lily McLean in the opening 15 minutes to concussion.

Despite having a strong day in goals, Zdelar was beaten again with less than 10 minutes remaining courtesy of a controversial penalty handed down to Beth Taylor for handling the ball in the box.

While the Strikers did enough in the dying minutes to clinch a point, the euphoria wasn't enough to mask what had essentially been a disappointing performance.

The Eureka Strikers remain outright third on the ladder, but will have to up the anti against top ranked North Geelong Warriors this Sunday.

The club is hopeful that Holly Williamson will be able to recover in time for the game, while McLean will be monitored as the week progresses.

Earlier in the day, the development Squad won 3-1, with Julia Antonetti, Lissie Dodds and Molly Esmonde all scoring.