Watford’s battle to avoid relegation from the FA Women’s Championship will go down to the final game after a 2-1 loss away at Crystal Palace.

Two first half goals from Molly Sharpe kept up the Eagles’ strong league campaign in their last home game of the season, before Watford pulled one back late on through Gemma Davison.

Coventry United’s win means the relegation place will be decided in Watford’s match against the West Midlands side next Sunday.

Palace took the lead in the 19th minute as Sharpe’s left-footed shot from distance was caught by the wind, before hitting the bar and the keeper before bouncing into the net for a bizarre opener.

Sharpe’s second came in the 40th minute, the ball played long for the rapidly advancing forward to loft the ball over Watford goalkeeper Georgia Ferguson.

After the restart, Palace’s Millie Farrow hit the post from a counter attack, while Watford had a goal ruled out just after the hour mark, when captain Helen Ward’s clever dink was adjudged to be offside.

Crystal Palace should have made it three with 20 minutes to play, but Sharpe’s shot from the edge of the area went just wide of the far post.

Davison came on at half-time for Watford, and scored with ten minutes to play, taking control in a scrappy penalty area to put the ball in the bottom right corner.

Siobhan Wilson for Palace hit the post with five minutes remaining as the hosts tried to regain their two-goal advantage.

A stoppage time Watford free kick was comfortably gathered by the keeper, to condemn the visitors to their 14th loss of the season.