Watford Ladies earned a first point of the season - in their toughest test so far - thanks to Rinsola Babajide's equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Durham at Gaywood Park.

Both sides had chances before the visitors' Emily Roberts fired in from range 10 minutes into the second half.

Watford equalised instantly through a wonder-goal from Babajide from well outside the area.

Durham passed up a number of late chances to steal the victory from Hertfordshire, but Lady Hornets head coach Keith Boanas instead earned his first point at the helm.

Boanas' ladies started the better and Charlotte Kerr was denied twice inside the opening 15 minutes, before Babajide could not quite get a toe on Danielle Puddefoot's cross to open the scoring.

Towards the end of the half, Beth Hopple's free-kick for the visitors was a sign of their growing stature in the game, and only an excellent Meghan McKeag slide tackle minutes later stopped Zoe Ness from having a clear sight of goal.

The second half was brought to life by Roberts' opener which nestled in the bottom corner from outside the box, before Watford equalised with a sensational strike of their own.

Babajide picked up the ball in midfield and chipped it beyond the visiting goalkeeper with a superb shot.

Kerr nearly gave them the lead but her shot ended the wrong side of the Durham post, before Puddefoot was forced off 13 minutes from time after an impressive debut.

The Hornets rise to seventh in the early standings, with Doncaster next to visit Kings Langley on April 2.

Watford: Gillett; Fatuga-Dada, McKeag, Jordinson, Neal; Nuttall, Puddefoot (Charles 77), Will; Kerr, Babajide, Cudone.

Not used: O’Reilly, Baxter, Clark, Murray, Maple.