Maya Le Tissier nets late equaliser as Man Utd fight back for Tottenham draw

Maya Le Tissier scrambled home in stoppage-time as Manchester United earned a 2-2 draw against Tottenham in a dress rehearsal for next month’s FA Cup final between the teams.

United went ahead in the 13th minute through Melvine Malard but quickfire goals either side of the half hour from Bethany England and Jessica Naz turned the Women’s Super League encounter on its head.

Tottenham seemed poised to claim all three points at Leigh Sports Village but Le Tissier, who signed a contract extension at United this week, struck in the second minute of time added-on.

After Rachel Williams leapt highest from a corner to head against the crossbar, Le Tissier reacted quickest to bundle the rebound into the net from point-blank range to rescue a share of the spoils.

While they avoided giving the visitors an edge ahead of their Wembley showdown on May 12 and they moved up to fourth in the WSL, the stalemate all but ends United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

They hit the front courtesy of Malard, who took advantage of Becky Spencer coming to meet a free-kick by directing a header over the Spurs goalkeeper and into the net.

But after United failed to sufficiently clear their lines from a corner, Drew Spence drilled the ball through a sea of bodies, taking a final, crucial touch off England to leave Mary Earps beaten in the 29th minute.

Naz then made amends for an unnecessary foul which led to United’s opener – two minutes later – as her left-footed shot sailed past Earps following a defensive mix-up which left the hosts disjointed at the back.

United came close to an equaliser just before the hour when Katie Zelem’s snap-shot drew an excellent reaction save from Spencer, who tipped the ball onto the crossbar.

The hosts grew increasingly desperate against a stout Tottenham backline, with clear-cut chances few and far between in the second half and as the full-time whistle neared, Earps was sent up for set-pieces.

But Marc Skinner’s side would not be denied as Le Tissier had the final word to deny Tottenham their first victory over United.