**Two first half goals from Nottingham Forest saw Durham fall to a 2-1 defeat on the road.**
Nottingham Forest took the lead in the 14th minute through Joy Omewa, who converted from Cerys Brown’s low driven cross, after an initial save from Cat Sheppard to make it 1-0.
Forest doubled their lead 10 minutes later as Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah fired into the bottom right corner from the edge of the penalty area, making it 2-0 to the hosts.
Durham responded well to the setback, with Lucy Watson forcing Emily Batty to make two big saves in the space of a couple of minutes.
The pressure paid off for Durham as Lily Agg pulled a vital goal back, nodding in Grace Ayre’s cross from close range to make it 2-1.
The Blues almost drew level through Mollie Lambert, but her volley struck the back post.
Despite creating the better chances, Durham were unable to find an equaliser.
Line ups – Sheppard, Ayre, Briggs, Toland (Stobbs 58’), Wilson, Hepple, Lambert, Watson, Bradley, Foster, Agg (Collinson 39’, Speckmaier 75’)
Unused Subs – King, Robson, Blake, Ede, McFarland, Jones