By Chris Dicketts

Gills Ladies slipped to only their second defeat of the season after a below par performance in the Sunshine on Sunday afternoon.

It was a subdued afternoon for the Gills in front of goal as they failed to score in a game for the first time this season.

Goals in either half from Spurs through Ryah Vyse and Kirsten Thomson mean the Gills still need just two more points to wrap up the League title.

Manager Ian Varley was forced to shuffle his pack again this weekend when Deanna Cooper was ruled out through injury, Jodie Mugford returned to replace her in the midfield.

The game could have been very different had the Gills been awarded a penalty in the second minute when Danni Farmer appeared to be brought down in the Spurs area. The referee however waved away the Gills appeals for a spot kick.

Spurs had their first effort on goal in the ninth minute when Spurs had a shot after a well worked move found her in space, but she hit her shot straight at Katie Duffy.

Just a minute later and the Gills won a free kick thirty yards from goal. Danni Farmer stepped up and swung in a great ball that just missed Becky Lyon who rose highest at the far post.

In the 12^th minute Vicky Ashton-Jones burst into the box and cut the ball back to Rachel Ahern but she hit her shot high over the bar.

In the 15^th minute the Gills received a let off when Kelly Herrett played a bad back pass to her keeper and 17 raced through on goal. She had just Katie Duffy to beat and somehow chipped the ball over the keeper and the bar.

In the 25^th minute the Gills had a great chance to score when Rachel Ahern swung in a cross from the right hand side. Danni Farmer rose unmarked at the far post and headed goal wards but keeper Ebony Cabey-Gooden pulled off a world class save to keep the ball out.

It cost the Gills just after the half hour mark when Spurs took the lead somewhat against the run of play. A cross came in from the right hand side and the Gills defence failed to clear the ball and Ryah Varse had the simple task of slotting into the bottom corner past Katie Duffy.

Just before half time a Spurs midfielder handled the ball out on the right hand side the referee instantly awarded the free kick. Farmer once again swung in a great ball that evaded everyone and sailed out for a goal kick when all it needed was one touch and it would have found the back of the net.

On the stroke of half time Spurs had a great chance to extend their lead when Laura East handled the ball just outside her area. Although the free kick the ball made its way to Sam Pittuck who hit a shot that couldn't beat Katie Duffy at her near post.

Half Time 1-0

Ian Varley made a change at half time with Les Kay coming off with an injury and Charlotte Abbott replacing her, as he reverted to a 4-3-3 formation.

It took the Gills a while to get going in the second half but in the 50^th minute Abbott found East who played in Vicky Ashton-Jones but her shot was straight at the keeper.

Just two minutes later and Danni Farmer fired a cross right across the Spurs six yard box and Abbott slid in at the far post but her shot went over the cross bar.

Just after the hour mark the lively Spurs striker turned Becky Lyon and hit a shot from about twenty-five yards that went well wide.

In the 73^rd minute playmaker Danni Farmer hit a corner into the area that found Kelly Herrett but she couldn't keep her snap shot down from distance.

In the 85^th minute the Gills were looking for anyway back into the game and the Captain Becky Lyon hit a speculative shot from the centre circle over the cross bar.

The game was over for the Gills in the 87^th minute when Sam Pittuck hit a snap shot from the edge of the area that was pushed away by Katie Duffy. She could only parry it into the path of Kirsten Thomson who rifled her shot into the back of the net.

The Gills slipped to only their second defeat of the season and will now go into the game against rivals Norwich on Sunday knowing a win will do it.

Full Time 2-0

Gills: Duffy, Judd, Herrett, Lyon (c), Kay (Abbott, 45), Ahern, East (Massey, 76), Mugford (McGregor, 76), Farmer, Ashton-Jones, Crinean

Spurs: Cabey-Gooden, Gillings, Berry, Griffiths, Cheesman, Cable, Small, Thomson, Schnillachi, Vyse

Subs: Hussey, Kayser