Ini Umotong hopes she has kick-started her season with a first league goal since January.

But she would have loved it to have been a winner.

Umotong put Albion 2-1 up against Reading in the Barclays FA WSL on Friday.

But the visitors scrambled an equaliser right at the end of added time.

It has been a stop-start season for Umotong, who has scored twice in the Conti Cup but suffered a shoulder injury against Arsenal recently and missed the win over Birmingham at the Amex.

On her third league start, she relished her recall as central striker with fellow forward Kayleigh Green moved to wide on the right.

Umotong enjoyed the link up with Green, with whom she normally shares centre-forward minutes.

She told The Argus: “I liked it. Between the both of us we are quick and so strong.

“It’s nice to play with Kayleigh, Lea (Le Garrec), Aileen (Whelan) and Kate (Natkiel) as well.

“I think we have a lot of pace going forward.

“It was an attacking line-up and we went out there looking for something.”

Green moved wide in the absence of Ellie Brazil, whose season has been ended by a knee injury.

Whether that remains the set up remains to be seen.

“Wait and see, wait and see,” was Hope Powell’s reaction when asked if Green would fill the void left by Brazil in future fixtures.

With Natkiel wide left, Le Garrec as a No.10 and Whelan coming from midfield, Albion carried a pacy threat as they came from a goal down to lead at the break.

Green’s cross from the right led to Whelan equalising with a terrific header.

Umotong beat the last defender and finished well to make it 2-1 after being released by Le Garrec’s clever pass.

Powell said: “Ini has that physicality and Kayleigh has that pace like Ellie, a good press.

“It was just really about that.

“They can both play those roles but Kayleigh can play several roles and is massive asset to us.

“I thought she did very well.”

Both Reading goals came from Fara Williams corners which could have been defended better.

Powell gave her deflated players the weekend off before starting preparations today for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham.

Umotong’s clever flick was the closest Albion came to establishing the cushion of a 3-1 lead after the break.

But the Nigeria international says Albion can approach the Spurs trip with confidence.

She added: “It’s so gutting we couldn’t come away with three points but credit to all of our girls.

“Every single one of us put in the graft and we should be proud of ourselves.

“Reading are a strong side with many internationals but we competed and held our own.”