Neither Doncaster Rover Belles or Everton Ladies could capitalise on league leaders Reading’s earlier defeat as both sides shared the spoils on a sunny afternoon in Liverpool.
The Belles dropped their first points of the season after taking the lead through Sue Smith against the Toffees, who levelled just short of the hour mark through Kelly Jones.
In what started a fairly even contest, the visitors thought they had taken an early lead when Emily Roberts saw her effort hit the back of the net only to be flagged offside.
But the Blues weren’t without their chances in the opening exchanges, Jones was just inches away from connecting with an excellent cross from Emily Hollinshead before Lucy Whipp almost forced a costly error from Belles’ keeper Nicola Hobbs.
On 14 minutes the deadlock was broken courtesy of an in-swinging corner from Smith which curled straight in at the back post.
But minutes later the Toffees could have been back on level terms when Rhiannon Roberts conceded a penalty but skipper Michelle Hinnigan saw her spot kick smartly saved by Hobbs.
Unfazed by their missed opportunity, Everton pressed for the equaliser and Simone Magill went close twice – once with a header just over the bar and minutes later with an effort that was cleverly palmed away by the Belles keeper.
Just before the break, Bethany England had the best chance of the half and should have doubled the visitors lead.
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk nodded a Roberts’ free-kick back across goal to set up England, but the midfielder could only head over from just six yards out.
Andy Spence’s side came out for the second half and immediately put the Belles under pressure.
After just 10 minutes their hard work paid off and they got a deserved equaliser when Magill found space on the left-hand side and whipped in a dangerous ball for Jones who needed just one touch before firing past a helpless Hobbs.
The Toffees then went close to a winner when Whipp set up substitute Lauren Davies who was unmarked in the Belles’ box but could only direct her effort straight at the keeper.
Smith then nearly got her second of the game late in to injury time, her floated effort going agonisingly close but just over the bar with the last kick of the game.
