City of Peterborough are off the mark in the National League thanks to a fantastic finish, ladies lose to title favourites

City of Peterborough Ladies thirds before their big-game win. Pictured are: Charlotte Bennett, Tanya Cooper, Emily Dakin, Lisa Deacon, Kirsten Hallett, Katie Haddon, Nikki Harris, Andrea Howard, Dionne Ibrahim, Sue McNaughton, Holly Mulberry, Helene Wilson.

City overcame a Deeside Ramblers side, who boast former Pakistani Olympian Ali Ghanzafar in their ranks, 5-2 after scoring three times in the final six minutes.

City trailed early on to a Ghanzafar penalty stroke and again later in the first-half when the former international ace converted a short corner.

But City twice equalised through skipper Joe Finding to set up a tense second-half.

Action from City of Peterborough thirds' (red) 3-0 win over Wisbech 3rds. Photo: David Lowndes.

City have been level late in games too many times then seen the points slip away this season, but there was a steely determination from the whole squad to win the points that recent performances have merited.

Man of the match Nick Beattie had been a constant thorn in the side of the Deeside defence and gave City the lead from a short corner in the 64th minute and then quickly allowing breathing space with a brilliant open play flick into the roof of the net two minutes later.

City comfortably held on in the closing stages, and their efforts were further rewarded with a short corner goal from Trevor Matthews in the 69th minute.

City are now up to eighth in the 10-team table ahead of a home game with unbeaten University of Nottingham on Saturday (October 24, 1.30pm).

City of Peterborough Ladies travelled without several regulars to East Premier Division title favourites and performed admirably before accepting a 2-1 defeat.

City Ladies thirds beat Wisbech Town thirds 3-0 in a top-of-the-table clash in Division Three. Kirsten Hackett (2) and Nikki Harris scored as City moved to the summit.