University of Derby women’s futsal firsts went top of the BUCS Women’s Premier North after Jess Smithurst’s late goal dethroned Nottingham University firsts.
Derby now need to avoid defeat in Friday’s return fixture in a thrilling climax to the league season.
Ella Brennan, the Derby captain, twice scored equalisers in the first half of a rather frantic affair after Amelia Penfold had twice given the visitors the lead.
Going into the second half the outcome of the title played a hand as both teams became more measured, but then, with just a minute left, Smithurst scored a rebound to give the home side all three points.
