By Chris Dicketts

The Ladies drew their first game of the season away at Northampton Ladies on Sunday afternoon despite finding the net four times.

Unfortunately for Ian Varley two of the goals came were own goals for his side as Ashlee Hincks and Natalie Crinean scored at the right end for the Gills.

With Norwich dropping crucial points on Good Friday against Enfield this was a great opportunity for the Gills to extend their lead at the top of the League, and they did so by one point as Norwich lost 3-0 at home to Spurs.

Manager Ian Varley had to shuffle his pack once again with Deanna Cooper still away with the England cricket team. Jodie Mugford also missed out this weekend and Rachel Ahern stepped up to take her place in the starting line up.

The Gills started sloppily this afternoon, and were made to pay early on when they went behind after just four minutes.

A high hopeful ball into the Gills area deceived Katie Duffy as she went up to catch the ball and she dropped it into her own net in really windy conditions.

The conditions didn't help either team as they looked to try and create chances, the pitch was on a slope, and it was in a poor condition which made it hard for the Gills to play their natural passing game.

Despite the early set back the Gills recovered well and went on to play some good football in patches and created a number of half chances before they got back on level terms.

The equaliser came in the 21^st minute when Natalie Crinean got on the score sheet. She picked the ball up on the half way line and ran straight for the heart of the Cobblers defence.

Ashlee Hincks made a fantastic run to pull a couple of defenders out of the way, and the space opened up for Crinean to run into and finish expertly into the back of the net.

The Gills were ahead just after the half hour mark when Ashlee Hincks joined her strike partner on the score sheet.

Some great play from Danni Farmer who found Rachel Ahern with a good pass, the midfielder showed great composure to slot in Hincks and she completed the simple task of hitting the back of the net.

The Gills normally would kick on and against other opponents this season the flood gates have opened but Northampton stuck to their game plan.

They got back on level terms when as half time approached Northampton had a shot that was well saved by Katie Duffy.Kelly Herrett tried to clear her lines and her kick rebounded off the unfortunate goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The two own goals were really hard on Katie who has been in fine form since joining the club at the beginning of the season.

Half time 2-2

The Gills came out in the second half and attacked with the usual flare that they have been renowned for this season.

In fact they were so dominant that Northampton couldn't get out of their own half but they defended resolutely.

The Gills created a number of chances with the best of the bunch falling to Rachel Ahern, Ashlee Hincks and Laura East but none of them could really test the keeper, despite the constant pressure from the Gills.

In the 76^th minute the Gills had a golden opportunity to put the game beyond the reach of their hosts, but Ash Hincks sent her free header straight at the keeper.

In the closing minute the Gills pushed for that elusive winner to try and secure a valuable three points.

First Ash Hincks went one on one with the Northampton keeper but she made a good save from the striker. With the final kick of the game Charlotte Abbott saw her sweetly hit shot saved by the keeper once more.

The Gills move ten points clear of Norwich and head into the Kent Cup Final on Thursday evening looking to secure their first silverware in eight years.

Full time 2-2

Gills: Duffy, Judd (Abbott, 70), Herrett, Lyon (c), Kay, East, Ahern, Farmer, Hincks, Crinean, Ashton-Jones

Subs not used: Massey, Russ