Ipswich Town Women were beaten 4-2 by league leaders Portsmouth at Westleigh Park this afternoon.
Bonnie Horwood and Ruby Doe scored for Town, but they fell to a defeat which ends their chances to get promoted this season.
The hosts took the lead against the run of play in the 17th minute when Emma Jones guided a low cross into Georgie Freeland, who finished home.
Portsmouth doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when Jones brought the ball down and fired the ball into the far corner from 25 yards.
In the 41st minute the hosts made it 3-0 when Nicole Barrett whipped in a free-kick from deep which evaded everyone and went straight in.
Town did pull a goal back just before half-time when Ruby Doe was fouled in the box and Bonnie Horwood stepped up and slotted home from the spot.
However, Pompey restored their three-goal lead when Sophie Quirk, at the back post, headed the ball back across for Freeland, who finished into the net for her second of the game.
The Tractor Girls pulled another goal back in the 85th minute when Summer Hughes took the ball to the byline before cutting back for Doe, who turned the ball home.
This result sees Town remain fourth in the league, but they are now 19 points below from Portsmouth after this defeat.
Town return to action when they face second-bottom Chatham Town for their eagerly-awaited game at Portman Road on Saturday 23rd March (KO 3pm).
Town: Hartley, Mitchell (Barker), Boswell (c), Williams, Hughes, Robertson (O’Brien), Horwood, Peskett (Bryant), Doe, Gunning-Williams (Bowyer), Thomas.
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