Aston Villa Women were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United Women in the Barclays FA Women's Super League on Saturday.
Villa produced a hugely spirited and resilient display against the league leaders, but were undone midway through the first half and then again in the dying minutes.
The hosts had several chances in front of goal - ones that could've ended up in the net on another day.
Gemma Davies' side travel to Bristol City on Wednesday in search of a bounce back.
Anita Asante returned to midfield where she made such an impact in Villa's win over Brighton last month.
And Villa were well up for it in the early exchanges, fashioning a couple of good opportunities.
Marisa Ewers drove through the midfield before dragging a long-distance effort wide, while Shania Hayles looked lively whenever she was in possession.
But for all Villa's hard work, they were undone in the 25th minute by some sharp interplay.
Hayley Ladd found Leah Galton in yards of space inside the area, and the latter took a touch to control before firing low past Lisa Weiß to give United the lead.
Gemma Davies' side weren't to be dissuaded, however.
Hayles caused havoc for the United defence all afternoon, and found herself through one-on-one but was thwarted at close range by Mary Earps.
The second half started dramatically as both sides struck the woodwork in a matter of moments.
First, Hayles clipped the crossbar from point-blank range, before Lauren James slammed an effort against the crossbar from the edge of the area.
The remainder of the second half was a cagey one, as Villa's fight for an equaliser was combatted by United's determination to keep a clean sheet.
The away side added some gloss to the scoreline in the closing moments, as Ella Toone desposited the ball into an empty net after Weiß had rushed out to clear.
Villa will now start a run of three successive away games, starting on Wednesday against bottom-of-the-table Bristol City.
Villa: Weiß, Franklin-Fraiture, N'Dow, Haigh, Siems, Ewers (C) (Syme 80'), Asante, Petzelberger, Haywood (Arthur 67'), Hayles (Hutton 80'), Follis (Silva 57')
Unused Subs: Rogers, Ale, West, Hanssen
