Maya le Tissier scrambled in a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Tottenham their first ever win over Manchester United in an enthralling dress rehearsal for next month’s FA Cup final.
Le Tissier, who signed a new contract this week, headed in from a packed goalmouth after Rachel Williams had hit the crossbar.
Two goals in three minutes from Bethany England and Jessica Naz looked to have secured a momentous victory for Spurs after Melvine Malard had put United ahead at Leigh Sports Village.
But centre-back Le Tissier’s intervention kept United’s slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive – with third-placed Arsenal facing Leicester later on Sunday afternoon.
A win for the Gunners will be enough to clinch a top-three finish.
Malard headed in a deep free-kick from Gemma Evans to give United the lead before England was credited with the equaliser, although it was debatable whether she actually got a decisive touch to a shot across goal from Drew Spence.
There was no doubt over the potency of Naz’s strike though, as she cut inside a defender and lashed past Mary Earps.
Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn saw his side soak up concerted United pressure after the break, but goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer was largely untroubled until the final seconds.
And with England goalkeeper Earps up for a corner, Le Tissier stole in to steal a point.
Wembley classic on the cards?
Only Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have won major honours in the English game since Liverpool won the WSL in 2014.
United or Tottenham will end that run with a maiden FA Cup win on 12 May and if the showpiece occasion lives up to this game, it will be one to remember.
Spurs will again be without the influential on-loan Grace Clinton at Wembley – as they were in Leigh – with the on-loan United playmaker ineligible.
But January signing Matilda Vinberg stepped up in her place, playing a big part in both goals, and could shine again on the big stage.
Line-ups
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Earps
- 5MannionSubstituted forBlundellat 45′minutes
- 4The Tissier
- 21TurnerBooked at 58mins
- 15Evans
- 16Naalsund
- 10I want it
- 9MalardSubstituted forWilliamsat 56′minutes
- 7ToneSubstituted forMiyazawaat 76′minutes
- 11GaltonSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 77′minutes
- 22ParrisSubstituted forGarcíaat 55′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Blundell
- 8Guerrero
- 12Ladd
- 17García
- 20Miyazawa
- 23da Silva Ferreira
- 28Williams
- 36Aherne
- 91Tullis-Joyce
Tottenham Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 22Spencer
- 29Neville
- 4James-Turner
- 21Bühler
- 6NildénBooked at 63mins
- 24SpenceSubstituted forPetzelbergerat 61′minutes
- 25SummanenSubstituted forHungryat 71′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 9England
- 17ThomasSubstituted forGrahamat 34′minutesBooked at 86mins
- 13VineyardBooked at 60minsSubstituted forAyaneat 71′minutes
- 7Naz
Substitutes
- 1Votíková
- 2Grant
- 5Bartrip
- 10Brazil
- 11Petzelberger
- 16Graham
- 20Hungry
- 23Ayane
- 77Wang
- Referee:
- Rebecca Welch
- Attendance:
- 4,697
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester United Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 2.
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Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 2.
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Attempt missed. Millie Turner (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Maya Le Tissier with a cross.
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Olga Ahtinen (Tottenham Hotspur Women) is shown the yellow card.
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Goal! Manchester United Women 2, Tottenham Hotspur Women 2. Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United Women) header from very close range to the top right corner following a corner.
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Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Gemma Evans with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Amanda Nildén.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Ashleigh Neville.
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Attempt blocked. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hinata Miyazawa.
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Attempt blocked. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Dangerous play by Olga Ahtinen (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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Attempt saved. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Maya Le Tissier.
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Kit Graham (Tottenham Hotspur Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Geyse (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Kit Graham (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
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Attempt blocked. Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lisa Naalsund.
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Attempt saved. Rachel Williams (Manchester United Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gemma Evans with a cross.
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Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Kit Graham.
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Attempt blocked. Katie Zelem (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hannah Blundell.