The Strikers had their chances but were unable to find a second goal, the match finishing in a 1-1 draw.

Both goals were scores in the first half, Sophie Emota finding the back of the net for Strikers.

Coach Adam Vranesic was disappointed his group could not come away with the three points against the eighth-placed United, but could not question the girls’ effort.

Windy conditions and a pitch that is a long way off the standard of Morshead Park meant the Strikers usual possession game was more difficult, while they struggled to apply the finishing touches in a bid to find a late goal.

“We certainly think that we should’ve walked away with the win,” Vranesic said.

“It was more two points lost than one gained, but in saying that with the conditions and playing away, getting a result at all is pretty good.

“We did create a lot more scoring chances but we couldn’t put them away.

“We almost rushed it too much to score a goal, we were a little bit eager, I think if we had of relaxed a bit more it would have come.

“To the girls’ credit they went for the whole 90 minutes and tried to get that next goal...but it just wasn’t to be.”

In the second half, the Strikers thought they had found another breakthrough as a corner ball came in, slipped through the keeper’s grasp – but the referee called a free kick and the goal was disallowed.

Strikers remain in fourth position with four rounds to go.

It was the Strikers second week without star player Nat Barbara, who will miss the rest of season while playing overseas, and Vranesic said the group was still adapting to life without their star player.

But he said there was no one player being asked to fill the void, rather handing the load to a midfield unit.

“We’ve got a very strong midfield...they all have their own role to play.”