Watford Ladies' coach Clinton Lancaster said he is aiming for a table-topping finish after the Golden Girls' 3-1 victory over MK Dons Women on Wednesday night.

The win took the Hornets into second place in the table with a fifth unbeaten game in a row and now Lancaster has his sights set on first place.

A brace from substitute Andrea Carid sealed the win after Emily Hill's opening strike had been cancelled out by the Dons' Jessica Driscoll.

After the game, Lancaster told the club website he was frustrated at half-time, but pleased with his side's patience to find the win.

“In the first half we were frustrated because they sat off us, which we expected them to do and we dominated possession, but we just couldn’t find the second goal in the first half,” he said.

“We moved the ball really well, but they got the equaliser late in the first half which was frustrating.

“At half-time we said just keep moving the ball, be patient and it will open up, and in the second half it did and we got the two goals which we thoroughly deserved and I think we thoroughly deserved to win the game.

“Second isn’t where we want to finish, we want to finish top, but of course we’re making the right steps.

“It’s amazing for us, our aim is to finish as high as we can and we’re going from position to position. The more games we win, depending on how others get on, we’re just going to push on and on in the league."

Lancaster singled out Carid for personal praise after her heroics from the bench, describing her as "outstanding".

He also praised the character of club captain Helen Ward, who was also brought on as a substitute following a trip to Belarus with Wales on international duty.

She was unused by her country and upon returning asked if she could be part of the squad against the Dons at short notice.

“One thing Andrea does when she comes on is her work rate is outstanding,” said Lancaster.

“She will work really hard, she’ll shut the game down and when she’s got the ball she’s got great feet and looks after the ball really well and moves it really quickly.

“She played really well when she came on and she made a massive difference, and she obviously helped us get over the line in the end. It was a great finish, she took her goals really well.

"[Ward] is a top professional and she loves playing her football. Her football and her family are the most important things for her, and she wants to play all the time.

“That for us is great, someone with her experience, with her knowledge, with her goals. Any opportunity to include Helen, we will. She’s a great leader, a great captain, so it came as no surprise.”