EVERTON Ladie secured a hard-fought victory against Doncaster Rovers Belles at the Keepmoat Stadium.

A first half strike from Toni Duggan gifted Everton their first victory of the season in a lively final game before the mid-season break.

Despite a second half onslaught, the Belles were unable to force an equaliser and went home empty handed for the second consecutive match.

Everton came out of the traps the fastest and created the first opportunity of the game in only the third minute. Captain Jody Handley whipped in a corner from the right that the Belles failed to clear and eventually Duggan forced a decent save out of Helen Alderson, who did well to keep hold of the ball with Natasha Dowie lurking with intent.

Everton took the lead after 28 minutes. Duggan picked up the ball on the left, cut inside and fired a shot into the bottom corner from just outside the area with her right foot.

Everton’s Dowie was furious not to be awarded a penalty as she appeared to be tripped by the trailing leg of Amy Turner, but the striker’s protests were waved away by the referee.