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London City Lionesses suffered defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Sunday [21 January], with Hayley Nolan and Elise Hughes firing the Eagles to victory.
Carolina Morace made one twist to the side that overcame Moneyfields a week earlier, replacing Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah with Connie Scofield.
The Eagles, who sit third in the Barclays Women’s Championship, started on the front foot and controlled possession for large spells of the match.
However, both sides found it difficult to create chances through open play, with set-pieces quickly established as the likeliest route to goal.
Nolan, who departed Princes Park for Crystal Palace last summer, broke the deadlock on the 20-minute mark, leaping highest in the penalty area to head Felicity Gibbons’ corner kick beyond the reach of Hermione Cull.
The Pride battled valiantly in their attempt to find an equaliser, with Danielle Carter closest to tying the score, but came unstuck in the 90th minute when Hughes reacted quickest in the penalty area to double Crystal Palace’s advantage.
London City Lionesses return to Princes Park on Wednesday [24 January], hosting Crystal Palace in a playoff-style Continental Tyres League Cup fixture.
Wednesday's winners will advance to the quarter-finals, while the losers will see their journey ended in the group stage.