Leaders Manchester United came from two goals down to maintain their unbeaten Women’s Super League start against rivals Manchester City.
Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs both capitalised on poor United defending to give City a 2-0 lead at the break.
But two-time World Cup winner Tobin Heath pulled a goal back for the hosts after 54 minutes.
Substitute Kirsty Hanson then prodded home a deserved leveller in the 74th minute to complete a famous comeback.
United could have won the game in the 89th minute when Lucy Staniforth’s downward header was cleared off the line by Demi Stokes.
Noisy neighbours United now WSL’s team to beat
United, who had won their past five league games coming into this fixture, moved to the top of the WSL table for the first time thanks to their 1-0 victory over Arsenal last time out.
But it was City who raced out of the blocks in the first period with Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway both seeing efforts well saved by Red Devils keeper Mary Earps after Kelly’s opener.
Gareth Taylor’s side could have been three or four goals up at the break, with Kelly and Sam Mewis again going close before Coombs’ deserved second.
But United were a side transformed in the second period and Heath’s powerfully struck goal after a lapse of concentration from the City defence was just reward for their early pressure.
Substitute Hanson then completed the comeback, poking in a scrappy corner with 16 minutes left on the clock.
Both sides pushed for a late winner, the hosts going closest when Staniforth’s goalbound header from a corner was hacked away by Stokes.
City and England captain Steph Houghton ended in the game in pain after getting a knee in the back just before full-time, but Taylor said it was nothing serious.
The draw means the FA Cup winners stay fifth in the WSL table while United remain top, ahead of Arsenal’s match with Chelsea on Sunday.
Line-ups
Man Utd Women
- 27Earps
- 17Batlle
- 4Turner
- 21Turner
- 11Galton
- 12Ladd
- 14Groenen
- 9SigsworthSubstituted forHansonat 45′minutes
- 7Toone
- 77HeathSubstituted forStaniforthat 71′minutes
- 24PressBooked at 46minsSubstituted forJamesat 55′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Ramsey
- 3Okvist
- 10Zelem
- 16James
- 18Hanson
- 19Ross
- 37Staniforth
Man City Women
- 26Roebuck
- 20Bronze
- 6Houghton
- 27Greenwood
- 3Stokes
- 22Mewis
- 24Walsh
- 7CoombsSubstituted forWeirat 85′minutes
- 9KellyBooked at 45mins
- 18WhiteSubstituted forBeckieat 76′minutes
- 10StanwaySubstituted forParkat 88′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bardsley
- 4Bonner
- 8Scott
- 11Beckie
- 14Morgan
- 16Park
- 19Weir
- 21Lavelle
Live Text
Match ends, Manchester United Women 2, Manchester City Women 2.
Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 2, Manchester City Women 2.
Foul by Jessica Park (Manchester City Women).
Amy Turner (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Demi Stokes.
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Ellie Roebuck.
Attempt blocked. Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United Women) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Leah Galton with a cross.
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Samantha Mewis.
Foul by Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women).
Lauren James (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Jessica Park replaces Georgia Stanway.
Attempt blocked. Keira Walsh (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Chloe Kelly.
Attempt saved. Kirsty Hanson (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Caroline Weir replaces Laura Coombs.
Corner, Manchester United Women. Conceded by Stephanie Houghton.
Foul by Laura Coombs (Manchester City Women).
Amy Turner (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Georgia Stanway (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Samantha Mewis following a set piece situation.
Lucy Bronze (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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