Sophie Harris hopes a landmark result – and clean sheet - against WSL champions Arsenal can re-ignite Albion’s season.

The Seagulls fought out an excellent 0-0 draw in a Conti Cup group fixture, then took the extra point on offer by winning a shoot-out 4-2.

Kirtsy Barton shot wide with the first penalty but Harris’ super save from Kim Little kept the hosts on terms.

Kayleigh Green, Maya Le Tissier and Dani Bowman netted before the excellent Lea Le Garrec was a fitting point-winner as she found the top corner.

The outcome keeps Albion in the running to qualify and, just as importantly, is a huge fillip to their season, which had hit a rough patch.

Harris, who has fought her way back from injury, said: “Not many teams keep a clean sheet against Arsenal and the win on penalties tops it off.

“It has been a tough few weeks for us and we had a point to prove.

“Everyone stuck to the gameplan and worked so hard and we deserved something from the game.”

Big-scoring Arsenal had not registered a blank since playing Manchester City in last season’s Conti Cup final on February 23.

As well as the shutout, Albion will be encouraged by the chances they created over 90 minutes.

Le Garrec twice shot inches off target early on and, in the second half, provided a couple of super crosses which Ini Umotong might have converted.

The striker headed wide at the far post and then narrowly failed to get her foot to Le Garrec’s low delivery, hurting her shoulder as she fell.

Umotong had a goal ruled out just before half-time for offside in a melee which, with more composure, the hosts might have sorted in their favour before the ball ran to her.

And Aileen Whelan forced a save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after cutting inside.

Not that the Gunners, even with star striker Viviane Miedema initially on the bench, did not have some great openings of their own.

Little volleyed over after a good move. Le Tissier was let off after her error on the edge of her own box as Beth Mead fired wide.

But, within a minute, Le Tissier was the saviour with a brilliant sliding clearance in front of goal after Jill Roord rounded Harris.

The hosts were also thankful for excellent work, both in terms of saves and general handling, by back-up keeper Harris, whose season has been affected by injury.

And, when she was beaten, Roord’s header hit the bar.

Harris’s best stop in the 90 possibly came when she narrowed the angle to thwart Miedema soon after the Dutch goal machine had been sent on as part of a triple Arsenal change.

But she bettered that in the shootout and Mead then fired over to open the door for Albion.

Their next fixture is the big one at the Amex as Birmingham City visit.

Harris added: “Everyone is so happy with each other. It feels like all the hard work has paid off.

“We are excited and we just go again in the league. Hopefully this performance lifts our confidence going into the Birmingham game.”

Albion: Harris; Barton, Kerkdijk, Le Tissier, Gibbons ; Simpkins ; Brazil, A.Whelan (Bowman 77), Nilden (Natkiel 46), Le Garrec ; Umotong (Green 71).