Brighton & Hove Albion Women 0-0 Everton Ladies: Aileen Whelan comes closest for Brighton
- Published
Aileen Whelan joined Brighton from Everton
Brighton forward Aileen Whelan hit the bar against her former club Everton as the Women's Super League strugglers played out a goalless draw.
Whelan thumped against the woodwork from 25 yards after just three minutes at Crawley's People's Pensions Stadium.
Everton probed either side of half-time but Wales pair Angharad James and Elise Hughes failed to beat Marie Hourihan.
Georgia Brougham made a vital clearance for the visitors to thwart Felicity Gibbons as neither side could score.
The point keeps Everton second from bottom, but they move three points clear of basement side Yeovil, with Brighton staying ninth.
Brighton manager Hope Powell:
"I thought we were quite leggy, it's been quite a tough seven days, three games in seven days for us is quite tough.
"We didn't play anywhere near how we can perform but we battled and managed to get a point and a clean sheet so I've got to be happy with that.
"We weren't at our best but we were solid, everyone worked for each other. The game was stop-start, the momentum was broken for both teams. So, we'd rather a point and clean sheet than no points and goals conceded."
Everton manager Willie Kirk:
"We said to the players before that it's important if you're involved in a scrappy game and you're not winning the game then you need to make sure that you don't lose it.
"We're disappointed not to get the three points. We feel like we're good enough to come to places like this and win. I think we came out on top in times of final third entries but as we know you're not dictated by how many times you get in the final third but how effective you are.
"A cool head in the final third can make a big difference with creating a real goal scoring opportunity or half a chance. I thought we had a lot of half chances in this game. It's something we'll work on in training."