Goals in each half from Stacey Aisthorpe and Sophie Barker saw OOH Lincoln Ladies grab a crucial 2-1 home win over Leicester City in the Women's Premier League Northern Division yesterday.

Second-placed Lincoln, who celebrated being accepted into the new FA Women's Super League last week, went five points ahead of the Foxes following the win and are now just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have played a game less, after their 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle.

The hosts drew first blood in first-half stoppage time when Stacey Aisthorpe's outrageous backheel flick looped over Leicester goalkeeper Leanne Hall.

Then on 77 minutes Aisthorpe turned provider – tearing down the inside-right channel and crossing to the far post where Barker's composed finish sealed the victory.

Gritty Leicester had looked on course for a share of the spoils when Rachel Stowell equalised from the spot.

Already without influential forward Jodie Michalska, Lincoln suffered a further blow midway through the first half when winger Randi Johns was forced off with an ankle injury.

The departure of the American meant a tactical reshuffle.

Johns' sister Brooke came off the bench and Paige Crossman went up front with Aisthorpe.

But it was Leicester who went close to opening the scoring.

A long-range shot from Leicester's Meade squirmed out of Kay Hawke's grasp and trickled just wide of her left upright.

Then, with the match surging from end to end Brooke Johns' dangerous left-wing cross was headed off the line.

After Aisthorpe's goal on the stroke of half-time, Lincoln came out for the second half with all guns blazing.

But Leicester were determined opponents and won a penalty on 75 minutes which resulted in a caution for Leandra Little who handled the ball.

Captain Stowell thumped the kick down the middle as Hawke dived to her right.

Even after Barker had restored Lincoln's lead it took a world-class save from Hawke to claw away Smith's bullet header two minutes from time.

After the game manager Rod Wilson had praise for youngster Crossman, who joined Aisthorpe in attack.

"Paige is a young girl who's not always as confident as she should be, but she's a talent. She was my player of the match," said Wilson

"She's usually a winger but I was really pleased with her and Stacey's work rate and pace up front.

"Leicester were a good footballing side – as we knew – but I had a feeling they had a weakness in defence in dealing with pace."

Wilson was also unconvinced with the penalty award.

"I didn't think it was a penalty at all, never mind a booking. The referee had a reasonable game but there were one or two odd decisions," he added.

"Leicester deserved a goal on the balance of play.

"Maybe even a draw would have been a fair result. But we hung in there and scored near the end again."