Albion suffered WSL defeat at the Amex – sunk by a goal they gave away just as they were building some momentum in the contest.

An own goal by Guro Bergsvand as she tried to tidy up a defensive mess ultimately sent Everton to their 2-1 success.

Tatiana Pinto had earlier scored an Albion equaliser in a game which really came to life in the second half.

The home side were still clapped and cheered off by many of a crowd of 4,987 but their disappointment was clear and they will see this as a missed opportunity.

Albion did not really produce the flowing football they would have wanted on his showcase occasion in the first half.

But one of their outstanding performers across the season showed what she is all about.

Sophie Baggaley, outstanding in goal this term, pushed a Sara Holmgaard shot away from her bottom corner and made a fine block from Hanna Bennison.

Her opposite number Courtney Brosnan was forced to swat the ball to safety in rather awkward fashion as she scrambled back in pursuit of Elisabeth Terland’s goalwards prod.

And Everton had to defend strongly against some dangerous set-pieces.

Albion were better after the break.

Terland sent a shot across goal early in the second half after being found in space by Maisie Symonds’ free-kick.

Another astute Symonds pass led to Pinto seeing her shot deflect wide.

And Terland was not far off target from 35 yards when she looked to catch out the advanced goalkeeper.

Everton, though, went ahead on the hour when Karen Holmgaard, who had only just gone on as substitute, headed home a hanging cross as Albion failed to defend their far post.

The goal was not what the home team wanted but it livened the game as a whole – and got the crowd going.

Albion were level three minutes later as Pinto was fouled and Brosnan could only help Symonds’ curling free-kick on to the bar.

The hosts were alert to the rebound and Pinto beat Jorelyn Carabali for the honour of smashing the ball over the line.

That seemed to set up Albion to push for a rare home win.

But Everton were gifted a second lead on 72 minutes when Carabali left her back pass to Baggaley too short.

Aurora Galli took the ball around the keeper, who brought her down and may well have been sent off had Bergsvand, in her attempt to clear, not put the ball into her own net.

There was no shortage of effort from the hosts in the quest for a second equaliser and Brosnan held a well struck shot from Katie Robinson, who later had penalty claims waved away.

But there was to be no way back.

Albion: Baggaley, Mengwen (Lee 65), Pattinson, Bergsvand, Carabali (Thorisdottir 83), Zigiotti, Sarri (Bremer 54), Pinto (Kullberg 83), Symonds (Haley 65), Robinson, Terland. Unused subs:  Stefanovic, Loeck, McEwen, Dent.