By Tony Leighton

Blackburn Rovers hammered Northern Division side Preston 6-0 to race clear at the top of their Women's Premier League Cup group.

Top flight teams Nottingham Forest, Millwall Lionesses, Barnet and Reading also maintained 100% records.

Reading's 2-1 victory over Southern Division side Portsmouth came against nine players.

In the only group containing two top flight sides, Leeds United and Sunderland are joint leaders.

Blackburn Rovers 6-0 Preston North End

Vanessa Leat's opening goal four minutes before half-time led to a second half goal-fest for Rovers.

Katie Anderton and Danielle Sheen added goals shortly after the break before Nicky Twohig's 70th-minute penalty put the result beyond doubt.

Late strikes by Nicole Emmanuel and Nicole Forster completed the rout.

Reading 2-1 Portsmouth

Cassie Thorpe gave Portsmouth the lead, but before half-time they were down to 10 players after Mollie Clarke was dismissed for raising her hands to an opponent.

And after Gemma Simms had levelled the scores midway through the second period, Lauren Murphy saw red for foul and abusive language.

The nine players battled to save a point, but three minutes from time a Michaela Howells goal gave Reading victory.

Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United

Leeds were well on the way to victory by half-time after an own goal by Jo Cartwright and two strikes from Kerry Nugent.

Stephanie Gardener pulled a goal back for the Northern Division side, but seven minutes from time Leah Galton struck to ensure Leeds of a clear-cut win.

Leeds City Vixens 0-3 Sunderland

Natalie Gutteridge scored either side of the interval and Kiera Ramshaw's 67th minute goal wrapped up victory.

Charlton Athletic 1-2 Millwall Lionesses

A late goal by Emma Whitter settled the contest of two former League Cup winners.

Gemma Bryan equalised Sarah Jones' opener for Millwall, but Whitter grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time.

Leicester City 1-2 Nottingham Forest

Forest came from behind to beat their East Midland near neighbours after Jo Potter had struck home a 40-yard free-kick in the eighth minute.

Natalie Clarke headed the equaliser seven minutes later and a Catherine Lawson penalty 12 minutes into the second half proved the winner.

West Ham United 0-1 Barnet

Stacey Sowden raced on to a Katie O'Leary through-ball to score the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute.

Watford 1-1 Coventry City

Watford were the only top flight team not to win in this second set of group fixtures.

The Hornets took the lead through Sarah Wiltshire in the 73rd minute, but 10 minutes later Mille Durrant earned the Northern Division side a point with the equaliser.

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