Watford Ladies let an early lead slip on Sunday, as Plymouth Argyle Ladies turned the game on its head and ran out 3-2 winners.

Adekite Fatuga-Dada pounced on a loose backpass in the 13th minute to give the Hornets the advantage, but Plymouth went in ahead at the break after a penalty from Katie Middleton and a strike from Mollie Taylor.

That lead was extended in the second half through Jessie Jones, meaning that Leanne Bell’s late goal was little more than a consolation and Watford left Devon empty handed.

Head Coach Armand Kavaja made two changes to the side that lost against Cardiff City Ladies last time out, with Kat Huggins restored at left-back, while Andrea Carid replaced Helen Ward, who was away on international duty.

The Hornets raced into the lead just before the quarter of an hour mark, after a positive start.

A poor back pass gave Fatuga-Dada the chance to put Lindsay Rogers under pressure and she blocked the Plymouth goalkeeper’s clearance before chasing down the loose ball to score.

The hosts levelled after half an hour when Rebecca Dandridge was taken out in the penalty area, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

Middleton stepped up and put her effort right into the top corner, leaving Weronika Baranowska with no hope of stopping it.

There was still enough time for Argyle to take the lead before the interval, although there was more than a touch of fortune about the goal when it arrived.

Taylor’s cross in looped and curled before dipping into the back of the net without a second touch, sending Watford in trailing at the break.

Plymouth started the second period on the front foot and had a couple of opportunities at the beginning of the half.

Leah Burridge’s strike from the edge of the area flashed wide of the mark before Jones could have added to the score line, had it not been for a stop from Baranowska.

Jones would not be denied in the 58th minute, however, when her shot from the edge of the box was well-placed and beyond Baranowska’s reach, putting the hosts firmly in charge.

The Golden Girls sparked hope of a comeback with a couple of minutes of the 90 remaining.

Bell found herself one-on-one with Rogers in the Argyle net and managed to remain composed enough to slot the ball home.

Seven minutes of stoppage time allowed the Hornets to mount several further attacks, but the Argyle defence stood its ground and ensured that the points stayed on the south coast.

The Hornets welcome Oxford United Women to Kings Langley this Sunday, as they look to reverse their downturn in form.