The home side made it three wins in a row with this success at Thorp Arch, but Becky Langley's side deserved far more after piling on the pressure in the second half.

Holly Findlay put Leeds ahead in the 37th minute after they had dominated the opening exchanges without being able to find a way past Grace Donnelly in the Newcastle goal.

Megan McKenzie had already come close for the visitors but it was after the break when Newcastle really began to impose themselves on the game.

First Rebecca Olley shot just wide, then substitute Jayden Maxwell had an effort saved by Georgia Wattam. The Leeds keeper then made an outstanding stop to deny Olley, who had let fly from 20 yards, before a dramatic final five minutes saw Newcastle throw everything at their hosts.

In the 87th minute, Imogen Longcake's curling shot came back off the bar before Wattam somehow kept out McKenzie's follow-up.

Then in the final minute of normal time, luckless Longcake struck the crossbar again. Maxwell, following up, hit a post, then Abbie Gilchrist saw her volley come back off the bar, with Brooke Cochrane being denied by a brilliant save before Leeds eventually cleared their lines.

Manager Langley said: "Cannot fault the players' desire and effort. Gutted we didn't get the result after so many chances. The second half performance was outstanding against a strong Leeds side. Trust the process and the results will come."

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane, Courtney Lock, Ellen Packham, Jess Hennessy, Rhiannon Gray, Bethany Guy (Abbie Gilchrist 85), Rebecca Olley, Jess Foster (Imogen Longcake 85), Megan McKenzie, Beth Gardener (Jayden Maxwell 62)

Subs not used: Ellie Mark, Emily Tait