Relegated Crystal Palace ended their four-match losing run in the Women’s Super League after Abbie Larkin pounced deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw with Leicester.

Larkin was on target in the ninth minute of time added on in the clash between the WSL’s bottom two at the VBS Community Stadium, cancelling out a strike from Shannon O’Brien shortly before that had seemingly sealed victory for Leicester.

Annabel Blanchard rattled the visitors’ woodwork with an early chance after escaping the defence in a pulsating start.

Palace cranked up the pressure at a series of corners as they looked to bring an end to the losing run that sealed their WSL fate.

It took almost half an hour for Leicester’s first shot, with Hlin Eiriksdottir finding the side-netting.

Molly-Mae Sharpe fired a tame shot straight at goalkeeper Janina Leitzig as Palace retained the upper hand, although at the other end Chantelle Swaby saw a header cleared off the line.

Leicester’s quest for a first WSL win in London continued with Eiriksdottir shooting off-target once more, but the visitors did break through in first-half stoppage-time when Hannah Cain took advantage of a defensive error to score.

Cain forced a fine save from Shae Yanez shortly after the interval and following an uneventful spell, Palace were awarded a penalty when Josie Green was brought down by Courtney Nevin with Blanchard converting from the spot.

The match truly came alive in a dramatic 10 minutes of time added on, with a superb goal from O’Brien nudging Leicester ahead.

But Palace refused to throw in the towel and five minutes later Larkin scored her first WSL goal after Ashleigh Weerden had made initial inroads into the visitors’ defence.