Doncaster Belles 2 Sunderland Ladies 1
Sunderland's first league game since before Christmas ended in defeat as the lay-off took its toll.
They have had only one match, in the FA Cup, since mid-December and the visitors looked rusty early on as goalkeeper Rachael Laws twice had to be sharp to keep out good Belles efforts, with Kelly McDougall having a shot saved for Sunderland in a goalless first half.
The swirling wind made it difficult for both sides but Doncaster were more fluent as Williams, Hamilton and Exley went close before Williams beat Laws in the 74th minute.
Sunderland went close following McDougall's inswinging corner as a Demi Stokes's effort was beaten away and Bannon's follow up was scrambled clear.
Belles made the game safe two minutes from time following hesitancy in the Sunderland defence, Williams again capitalising.
Skipper Bannon (right) quickly responded and Sunderland had slight hope of an equaliser, but her desire to get the ball back into play got the better of her and she got involved in a scuffle that controversially earned her a red card.
Manager Mick Mulhern said: "We never really got going and were obviously rusty but I can take some positives. We never gave up and were creating chances right up until the last minute.
"Little mistakes cost us dearly at both ends and I honestly believe our efforts deserved a share of the points."
Sunderland: Laws, Holmes, Bannon, Wilson, Devine, Bronze, McDougall, Nobbs, Stokes, Gutteridge (Danby), Williams. Subs not used: Alderson, Greenwell, Christon.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
