KATIE Wilkinson rescued a point for Coventry United Ladies as they fought back to draw 1-1 draw with Watford despite Grace Riglar’s second-half dismissal.
Wilkinson levelled superbly on 74 minutes after Red and Greens defender Riglar was sent off for two bookings on 51 minutes.
That came after Emma Beckett had put the visitors ahead on 31 minutes at Butts Park Arena.
The result leaves Coventry ahead of Watford on goal difference in 11th place in the FA Women’s Championship table.
And the game started brightly with United keeper Lucy Thomas keeping out Beckett’s free-kick before Rio Hardy was denied by Georgie Ferguson at the other end.
Coventry striker Hardy should have put the hosts ahead just before the half hour mark when she was played through only for Ferguson to make a fine save.
And Watford made United pay for that missed chance when Beckett scored a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area to put the visitors ahead.
Jay Bradford’s responded when Katy Morris saw her deflected effort well-saved by Ferguson as Coventry failed to draw level before the interval.
And things would go from bad to worse for the Red and Greens when Riglar was sent off for a second bookable offence early in the second half.
However, after Thomas had made a fine save to keep Coventry in the contest, the home side found their equaliser.
Wilkinson controlled Hardy’s cross before firing a well-struck effort past Ferguson to the left-hand side of the goal to draw United level.
And Coventry had a chance to win the game when Hardy was once again thwarted by Ferguson as the Red and Greens were forced to settle for a point.
United are next in action away at Bristol City on Sunday, January 9 with kick-off at 3pm at the Robins High Performance Centre.
