Bolton Wanderers Women dug deep to record a hard-fought, but well-deserved, 2-1 victory over Mancunian Unity on the road on a torrential afternoon at the Emplas Stadium.
Wanderers' win ends Unity's winning start to the season, having won four consecutive games to open the campaign, with Faye Knox and Caitlin Clarke scoring either side of half-time to ensure victory.
Despite being edged out in terms of the result to AFC Fylde last week, the performance in the main was a hugely positive one and Myles Smith made just one change to the team that played last week - Caitlin Clarke returning to the squad in place of Zara Plano.
The hosts started strongly and made it difficult for the Whites in the opening stages. Libby Taylor set her sights early doors that almost tested Annabelle White before the Wanderers' keeper was called into action and made a huge save to deny Olivia Shaw from close range ater she had danced into the area.
Having survived at one end, Wanderers took the lead with a classy move to open up the Unity defence. Millie Smith's pass was to perfection to release Knox into space down the left-hand side. She drove past Emily Owens into the Unity penalty area and expertly found the bottom corner.
The rain continued to pour, but the quality of the game was high and remained end-to-end and the home side levelled it up as Taylor bundled home at the far post after some sustained pressure.
Wanderers went back in search of the advantage and almost had it as an inch-perfect Natasha Dale cross from the left found Evie Sadler at the far post - who met it brilliantly with her head - but a strong save from Olivia Reid in goal denied her.
The away side had found their groove now having survived the early physicality of their opponents and they went in search of their second.
First, Knox curled an effort just wide after superb feet had worked herself inside into space, before Charlotte Tyers teed it up perfectly for Sadler with a deft pass to open up the defence, but Evie's effort just missed the bottom corner.
Shaw almost had a second for the hosts after nipping in on a short back-pass to shoot from a tight angle, but Katie Holt had sweeped around enough to ensure the danger could be cleared - a timely reminder to the away side, who almost went in front themselves just before half-time.
A Knox corner was headed back into the danger area by Imogen Longcake - a constant threat down Wanderers' right all afternoon - for Lucy Walsh to attack on the half volley but she could not keep her effort down.
Heading into the second half level, the Whites continued their hunt for the goal and started the second half on the front foot.
Within two minutes, Knox cannoned an effort off the post to Unity's relief before the ever-tireless Ocean Flanagan teed it perfectly from the byline for Tyers to shoot, which was blocked, before Sadler turned the rebound over with a snapshot under pressure.
The warning signs were there for the home side as Wanderers continued to push for their second and they were rewarded midway through the second half.
Katie Holt did brilliantly to keep a ball alive from a Knox corner at the far post, before Clarke pounced on the loose ball to emphatically power home and nudge Wanderers in front.
It was no more than they deserved and as the away side went into the final 20 minutes with the advantage, they had to stand firm.
Eleanor Seals, Sanah Mehdi and Madison Hardman were all introduced in an effort to freshen up the side, with the trio bringing added energy to help Wanderers keep hold of their lead.
Despite pushing for the leveller, Unity were left frustrated by the resolute display from Myles Smith's side, who stood tall to everything that was thrown at them.
With close to seven minutes added on at the end of the 90, Wanderers weathered the storm from their opponents to hold out in fine style and claim a huge three points to kickstart September.
Wanderers: White (GK), Holt (C), Walsh, Clarke, Longcake, Flanagan, Smith, Knox, Dale, Tyers, Sadler
Subs: Clark, Baldwin, Seals, Mehdi, Hardman
Unity: Reid (GK), Mitchell, Melicio, Taylor, Shaw, Purslow, McLean, Price, Watson, Kershaw, Owens
Subs: Russell, Charlton, Bradshaw, Mackie, Hancock
Pictures by Ben Livingstone.