LEAH Burridge scored her sixth goal of the season as Oxford United Women were held by Billericay Town.

The summer signing’s ninth-minute strike was cancelled out by Beau Parker's equaliser early in the second half as the U’s dropped points for the first time this term.

Liam Gilbert’s side are three points clear at the top of FA Women’s National League Southern Premier heading into a tough run of fixtures in October.

United face Watford, Ipswich Town, MK Dons and Portsmouth next month in a string of games that will test their title credentials.

Burridge has made a habit of scoring early and continued in that vein to put the U’s ahead at the RAW Charging Stadium.

The former Bridgwater United captain had Sarah King to thank as her teammate pressed excellently to win the ball high up the pitch, before sending a cross into the penalty area.

A defender reached it first, but the clearance cannoned off Burridge and nestled in the back of the net.

The midfielder was denied a double midway through the half when she was penalised for an apparent foul, diving in on goalkeeper Jess Gray as the ball crossed the line following a scramble in the six-yard box.

Jaime Gotch headed wide 11 minutes before the break, but Billericay hauled themselves level after the restart.

Burridge had her pocket picked by Parker after receiving the ball from Rose Kite and the visiting player beat the goalkeeper.

United weathered a good spell for Billericay and threatened a winner, with Gray stopping Daisy McLachlan’s shot and then racing back to prevent a comical own goal from a misplaced back-pass.

The visitors held on for the draw and became the first team to take points off the U’s this season.