C&K Basildon Ladies could move back to the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division summit this weekend after seeing off Coventry United.

Zoe Rushen scored the only goal of the game as Steve Tilson’s title chasers grabbed a vital three points at Canvey Island’s Frost Hire Stadium.

And chairman Peter King confirmed C&K Basildon will fight until the last game of the season to be crowned champions for the first time in the club’s history.

King said: “We knew it would be a very tough fixture as Coventry are a very fine team unit who do not shirk from competitive football.

“I was particularly pleased to get this fixture out of the way and especially claim three valuable points.

“We continue to lay a marker down to Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic that we are serious challengers for the league title and this more than adequately displayed our intentions to fight until the last fixture.

“The real difference this season is our defence, who were magnificent against Coventry, but everyone put in 100 per cent and I was very proud of the whole team.”

C&K Basildon went into the encounter in high spirits having retained their Essex County Cup crown with a comfortable 7-0 win over Brentwood Town last time out.

And Tilson has also strengthened his side for the run-in by signing Emma Sherwood from Charlton.

But C&K Basildon were aware of Coventry’s threat, having suffered the last of their two defeats this term to the visitors.

However, the hosts’ 100 per cent home record remained intact thanks to captain Rushen breaking the deadlock three minutes after the break.

Rushen raced onto a fine through pass from full-back Ellie Manning before calmly sweeping the ball past the on-rushing Coventry goalkeeper.

The result leaves C&K Basildon one point behind frontrunners Crystal Palace, who Tilson’s charges face in a top-of-the-table away clash on Sunday.

C&K Basildon also have two games in hand on the table-topping Eagles.