Ella Tagliavini’s towering second half header gave Fulham Women a share of the spoils in their top of their table clash with Saltdean United at Craven Cottage this afternoon. The centre back headed home Madi Parsonson’s corner to earn the Whites a point after the hosts had trailed to a stunning strike from Saltdean skipper Georgia Bridges.

Steve Jaye made two changes to his starting eleven from last weekend’s FA Cup demolition of Chesham United with Amber Webber back between the sticks and Lily Stevens restored to the midfield. The hosts had the first sight of goal when a quick counter attack released Parsonson down the right flank but her cross was turned wide of the Saltdean goal by the covering Kirsty Barton. Ellie Olds then headed Parsonson’s lofted corner straight into the arms of Megan Lynch.

United showed just why they had won all of their league fixtures in a perfect start to the campaign when they took the lead through a terrific strike from 20 yards by Bridges. Fulham switched off from Barton’s throw, allowing Molly Hill to find Bridges inside the box and the captain hit a sweet strike between Webber and the near post.

Fulham seemed somewhat shell shocked by the goal, but the Whites did carve out a couple of opportunities for an equaliser before the break. Georgia Heasman stabbed a shot straight at Lynch having linked up with Stella Gandee-Morgan before turning provider with a clever clipped ball for Gandee-Morgan, whose first-time shot from 20 yards was well stopped by Lynch.

Ella Newman and Belle Taylor-Makepeace replaced Megalie Mendes and Heasman at half time, but Newman’s first touch was a terribly short backpass to Webber. The goalkeeper raced off her line to try and narrow the angle for Hill, who lifted the ball over Webber but saw it drift a yard wide of the Hammersmith End net. Chances were at a premium at the other end until a purposeful run down the left from Olds saw space open up. She delivered a lovely low cross that left Parsonson with a tap in at the back post, but the winger couldn’t quite sort her feet out at the far post and tapped the finish wide.

The hosts kept pushing and got an equaliser seven minutes later when Tagliavini looped a header over Lynch and into the top corner from thirteen yards from Parsonson’s corner. The Whites pushed to preserve their own 100% start to the season in the closing stages but Olds dragged a drive wide before Newman and Parsonson had efforts smartly stopped by Lynch.

The draw leaves Fulham three points behind both Saltdean, who are second having played two games more, and leaders Dartford, on whom the Whites have a game in hand. Jaye’s side will be targeting a return to winning ways against Sport London E Benfica at Motspur Park next Sunday, with kick off at 2pm.

FULHAM FC WOMEN: Webber; Foreman, Mendes, Gane, Tagliavini; Stevens, Barron-Clark, Parsonson, Gandee-Morgan; Heasman, Olds. Subs: Gibbs, Taylor, Adamson, Newman, Taylor-Makepace.

GOAL: Tagliavini (68).

SALTDEAN UNITED WOMEN: Lynch, Barton, Tucker, Robinson, McIntyre, Boswell, Millqvist, Sullivan, Hill, Bridges, Whinett. Subs: Baker, Howell, Creese, McEvaddy, Ciocan.

GOAL: Bridges (21).

REFEREE: David Goater.

ATTENDANCE: 1,439.