Saffron Jordan celebrated her late equaliser in style as Rovers Ladies earned a point against high-flying Southampton at Ewood Park.

Jordan’s 85th minute strike, followed by an enthusiastic sprint infront of the Jack Walker Stand, cancelled out Katie Wilkinson’s goal.

Rovers battled hard at a rain-soaked Ewood but their efforts looked in vain when Wilkinson put the visitors ahead just before the hour.

Yet Gemma Donnelly’s side continued pressing and got their rewards five minutes from time to make it five games unbeaten.

Both sides came into the game in confident mood, Rovers unbeaten in their previous four matches, while the Saints had a 100 per cent record in the same period.

The defensive records of both had been key to their recent upturn in fortunes. Rovers had to rely on that as Saints enjoyed much of the early possession, yet Donnelly’s side looked well-drilled and had a good shape to their defensive structure.

Conditions were particularly testing, and they contributed to an early chance for Southampton as Jade Richards missed her clearance from a right-wing Milly Mott cross to allow Wilkinson a sight of goal, but she also lost her footing when shooting wide.

In the 11th minute, Beth Lumsden had a golden opportunity, stealing in at the back post to meet a Lucia Kendall cross, only to volley wide.

Rovers were otherwise defending well, restricting the visitors to shots from distance despite their dominance of possession and territory in the opening quarter.

Goals have been hard to come by for Rovers, with only nine in as many matches to start the season, and they had to wait until the 25th minute for their first attempt on goal.

It came from Niamh Murphy, the left wing-back cutting in onto her right foot before curling a shot narrowly wide.

Farah Crompton looked to have the pace to beat the Southampton defence though, and she was fed by an excellent Saffron Jordan pass on the half hour, but the forward lost her footing as the ball ran away from her so couldn’t find the necessary contact to beat the ‘keeper.

At the other end, Shanell Salgado continued her good form, showing strong hands to push behind a fiercely hit Wilkinson drive from a tight angle, which kept it goalless at the break.

Natasha Fenton’s set plays were a real weapon for Rovers and a corner almost presented the opening goal early in the second half, but Helen Seed’s header was kept out on the line by Kayla Rendall.

Though they fell behind in the 57th minute, as Southampton launched a counter-attack that saw Lumsden hold off Leek in the area to square for Wilkinson to apply the finish at the near post.

That came during Rovers’ best period of the match, with a low Jordan free kick forcing a good save out of Saints stopper Rendall.

Southampton knew a second would kill the game, as Wilkinson curled wide from 12 yards, as both sides turned to their bench for the first time soon after.

With five minutes remaining, the chance that Jordan had been waiting for came her way, Chloe Dixon’s free kick reaching the far post where the striker was able to apply the finish to level things up.

Six added minutes gave hope of a late winner for both sides, but they had to settle for a point, one which keeps Rovers in seventh place, extending their cushion over the dropzone to eight points.

Rovers: Salgado, Seed, Richards, Coan, Nokuthula, Fenton, Leek (Williams, 70), Chandarana, Murphy, Crompton (Thomas, 90), Jordan

Subs: Brooks, Dixon, Hornby, Smith, Worthington

Southampton: Rendall, Morris, Mott, Kendall, Parnell, Pusey (Lloyd-Smith, 72), Lumsden, Wilkinson, Rutherland (Watling, 89), Collett (Wynne, 89), Peaks

Subs: Harris, Rafferty, Freeland, Williams, Pharoah, Watling