It had to be her…

Presented with a PFA community award before kick-off and making her return after injury, Rotherham United Women’s midfield general Lauren Winter was destined to have the last word with the final act of her side’s season.

Winter popped up at the near post to complete an incredible late comeback as the Millers hauled back a two-goal deficit in front of their biggest crowd of the season.

As Miller Bear mingled with a 340-strong crowd boosted by the offer of free entry for all, Rotherham toiled, struggling to reach the levels which have propelled them up the league to a creditable third place finish.

Visitors Mansfield barely troubled home keeper Ashleigh Ridsdel-Harrison until well into the second period, before the stopper was forced into a smart save with over an hour gone.

Lexie Butterworth and sub Caitlin O’Callaghan both came close for the Millers and the former should have been awarded a penalty after being checked as she shaped to shoot, but in truth chances were hard to come by.

Two uncharacteristic defensive errors, the second coming on 82 minutes when Ridsdel-Harrison skipped round one Mansfield forward before being robbed and punished by a second, left Adam Rawlings looking down the barrel of a first home league defeat.

But as time ticked away, O’Callaghan sparked an unexpected revival, racing onto a fine ball from Lily-May Jackson, rounding away keeper Amy Price and finishing from a tight angle.

With the crowd lifted and the team revitalised, the Millers pressed for the leveller.

A corner deep in stoppage time represented a final throw of the dice.

Molly Corke swung in the set piece,  and there was Winter to head home and spark jubilation both on and off the pitch. There were just two minutes between the two injury-time goals.

It was no more than the Millers’ overall dominance deserved and sent a crowd peppered with newcomers home happy.

Rawlings will be under no illusion that better is required in the League Cup final against Sheffield FC on May 18, but what this result proves is you write RUWFC off at your peril.

Bring on the biggest game of the season!

Home page photo by Julian Barker.