Rover Oxford Ladies must win their remaining three National North Division matches to avoid going into the England Slazenger League play-offs after losing both away games in their double-header weekened.

They were beaten 3-2 at Belper - though gave their second-placed opponents something to think about after being written off by them in their programme.

And on Sunday, with a depleted team due to illness, they went down 4-0 at Sheffield.

It only took 57 seconds for the in-form Lyn Cockshott to bury the ball past a shocked Belper keeper.

Rover sustained the pressure and Belper were lucky not to receive several cards as their frustrations rose.

Against the run of play, Belper drew level and a few minutes later pulled ahead to go into the break 2-1 up.

A well-worked short corner routine resulted in Leanne Grimsley deflecting the ball into the net. The score remained level with Rover dominating play against the five England U18 players that Belper had fielded.

However, in the last 30 seconds, Belper slipped in a lucky goal and stole the much-needed point from Rover's grasp.

The next day Rover's heads quickly went down as Sheffield started to find the net.

Rover had some chances and several short corners but were unable to convert them as the Sheffield defence did a good job.

The Oxford side went into the half-time break three down and a fourth followed in the second half, leaving Rover in tenth place.