Laura Vokes scored directly from a freekick on the half-hour mark to give Winchester the lead at the break an 87th minute goal from Kayleigh Tonks looked to have settled the game.

Minutes later, Reading pulled one back through Natalie Cowell from the spot; however, Flyes striker Annie Northwood sealed the win with the last kick of the game deep into injury-time.

A chilly afternoon at the Charters Community Stadium awaited the third ever meeting between Winchester and Reading.

With the league standings tight at the top, a win for Winchester could see them rise as high as second place, depending on other results.

The visitors, however, had other ideas as they came out of the blocks hard and fast.

Reading pressed high and caused havoc for the Winchester defence, the first attempt fell to Lucy Bolitho, who fired over.

Minutes later, the Royals struck the post from a deep freekick before Cowell was ruled offside as she headed in a high cross that Winchester failed to clear.

The Flyers did start to wake up as Laura da Silva was put through on goal, only for Jess Webb to block before Vokes had appeals for a penalty waved away.

Opportunities came and went for both sides, with the visitors enjoying more of the ball.

Both keepers were called into action; Webb claimed a cross from Shayne Prasad before Ellie Parker parried a good shot with Tonks sweeping up the loose ball.

On the half-hour mark, Winchester were awarded a freekick for handball about 25-yards out.

Up stepped fullback Vokes to send the ball flying over everyone in the box, and a fully stretched Webb gave the Flyers the lead.

Sian Wylie was leading the line against Reading in the absence of Chelsie Hay and had two great opportunities to score, the second attempt forced Webb into a fine save right on the stroke of half-time.

Things settled down for Winchester in the second-half as they grew into the game but things remained frantic as the Royals pushed for an equaliser.

Charlie Snelling headed a corner wide before Parker smothered the ball from a dangerous Reading freekick.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between as the game headed into the final stages.

Substitute Northwood nearly grabbed the second of the game, but she was dragged too wide and hit the side netting.

In the 87th minute, Tonks doubled the lead.

Vokes launched the ball out of defence to find Northwood on the halfway line to control and slide Tonks through.

The attacking midfielder has the freedom of the Reading half to drive into the box and poke home her first goal of the season.

Minutes later, Parker conceded a penalty as she knocked Cowell over on the edge of the six-yard box, the striker coolly slotted home to reduce the deficit.

Their efforts renewed, Reading came forward again through Cowell, except this time Parker made herself huge to block the shot, and Vokes was the quickest to clear.

Deep into injury time, the final chance came.

A looping delivery from Emma Whitlock deceived Webb on the bounce, and Northwood gambled before slotting home to the sounds of the full time whistle, securing the three points.

The win, along with results elsewhere, sees Winchester rise to third in the table, two points off Southampton Women’s in second and three from the league leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

Next up, the Flyers are once again at hom,e but they take a break from the league to host Farnborough in the Southern Region League Cup Third Round.

Full-time: Flyers 3 Reading 1