Late Cooke header edges West Ham towards WSL safety

Shannon Cooke’s injury-time header earned West Ham a late draw against Aston Villa in Birmingham.

But in the dying moments Cooke glanced Riko Ueki’s cross past Sophia Poor to clinch an all-important point for the relegation-threatened visitors.

If Bristol City fail to win against Manchester City on Sunday evening, West Ham’s WSL safety will be confirmed.

The Londoners, who knew a win would all but seal Bristol City’s relegation to the Championship, looked bright as they set about claiming a crucial three points at Villa Park.

Ueki’s early header was saved by 17-year-old Villa keeper Poor, who was making her full senior debut.

Kirsty Hanson was Villa’s main creative outlet throughout, causing problems for Kirsty Smith and Hawa Cissoko down the left.

The former Manchester United midfielder placed the ball on Rachel Daly’s head early in the second half, but the striker couldn’t add to her tally of seven WSL goals this term, heading over from close range.

But when the next delivery came in from Hanson, Lehmann evaded the West Ham defence before diverting the ball expertly beyond Mackenzie Arnold.

Villa surely thought they had won it but Cooke’s 95th-minute header quietened those celebrations, clinching what could be a pivotal point for Rehanne Skinner’s team.