After two games in the Continental Tyres Cup, Spurs have three points and are yet to taste defeat in 90 minutes

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies manager Karen Hills praised her team’s effort after they held Brighton & Hove Albion Women to a 2-2 draw in the Continental Tyres Cup Group One South on Sunday.

Spurs triumphed 10-9 on spot-kicks eventually to claim two points with goalkeeper Emma Gibbon scoring the winning penalty at Cheshunt FC.

Goals from Rianna Dean and Megan Wynne had put Hills’ side two goals ahead, but the FA Women’s Super League outfit hit back in the second half to claim a point.

Nevertheless, the Spurs boss hailed her players, she said: “To play against a WSL team, knowing how well they played against Chelsea last week, we knew it was going to be tough, but I thought the players worked exceptionally hard and we played very well.

“From the first whistle, we were on the front foot. Every single player stepped up and we deserved the shoot-out win. We knew that we had to look at a different formation, because we respect Brighton and know them well, so we chose to play a little more defensively.

“I must give a special mention to Sophie McLean and Jess Naz who were outstanding and Emma, who played her first competitive game for us and she didn’t disappoint.

“Rianna held the line really well, she worked tirelessly for her team, took her goal well and we’re extremely lucky to have her.

“Megan just gambles and gets into fantastic positions, so I’m pleased that she got her goal and again she’s another fantastic signing for us.

“But credit to Brighton, they put us under pressure in the second half and we started to get a little bit tired towards the last ten minutes but overall, we’re happy with three points from two games in this competition.”

Youngster Gibbon revealed her delight at full time, she said: “It was a hard game. We were two up and thought we had it so to concede at the end of the game was harsh but we all just had to get our heads together to get through the penalties and we did just that.

“In the penalty shoot-out, I was just backing each of our players and wasn’t really thinking of anything else. I can’t say that I practiced my penalty kick in training.

“I was just really glad I got my chance and I’m happy with my performance. Some things didn’t go my way, but I was just happy to be given a shot.”

Next up for Spurs is their FA Women’s Championship opener at home to London Bees on Sunday.

They go into the 1pm start at Cheshunt unbeaten in two games after stern tests against Crystal Palace Ladies and Brighton.