TWO goals in three second half minutes saw Bowers & Pitsea Ladies fall to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Eastern Region Women’s Football League Division One leaders Stevenage Ladies Reserves.

Sophie Dowman grabbed a brace, but her goals were not enough as Bowers suffered their first league reverse of the campaign.

Bowers went into the clash having suffered an FA Cup defeat to Leigh Ramblers last time out and, following a goalless first half, Stevenage broke the deadlock through Daniella Martucci soon after the break.

But Bowers hit back through a well-worked equaliser which was finished off by Dowman just after the hour mark.

Dowman continued to be heavily involved and was shoved to the ground in the penalty box, with the referee having little hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The striker, who came off the bench in the place of the injured Georgia Fraser at half-time, kept her cool and sent the home goalkeeper the wrong way as she slotted the ball home to give Bowers a 73rd minute lead.

However, the lead was short-lived as Stevenage scored twice in three minutes to clinch all three points.

Holly Darling volleyed home a corner before Martucci broke clear of the Bowers defence and, despite getting a strong hand to the strike, Charlotte Stephens could not keep it out.