By Tony Leighton

Michaela Howells hit four goals as Reading beat Barnet 5-1 to move up to third in the Women's Premier League.

Leaders Sunderland and second-placed Blackburn Rovers both had players sent off, with neither side able to claim victory in their respective games.

Though Sunderland's Abbey Holmes saw red in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, the result moved them a point clear.

Rovers lost 1-0 at Watford, as a late dismissal for Rhiannon Roberts marred their second defeat of the season.

Leeds United managed to draw 1-1 with Millwall Lionesses, but are still second bottom and three points off the safety places.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Sunderland

Catherine Lawson gave Forest a 52nd-minute lead as the home side looked to complete a league double over the leaders.

But Steph Bannon levelled the scores in the 64th minute and the Black Cats, despite having Holmes dismissed for a second bookable offence, controlled the closing stages.

Watford 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Sarah Wiltshire put the Hornets ahead in the 22nd minute, striking her sixth league goal of the campaign from a Lillie Billson pass.

The home defence stood firm as Rovers hit back, and a bad day turned even worse for the visitors when Roberts was sent off for dissent shortly before the final whistle.

Reading 5-1 Barnet

Howells scored two first-half goals then completed her hat-trick five minutes after the interval.

Stacey Sowden pulled a goal back, but Howells bagged her fourth goal on the hour and Danielle Puddefoot completed the scoring 15 minutes from time.

The result means that bottom-of-the-table Barnet are now the only club in the League without a victory to their name.

Leeds United 1-1 Millwall Lionesses

Leeds took a fortuitous 16th-minute lead as Gemma Bonner's header hit the post and rebounded off goalkeeper Michelle Beazley for an own goal.

The Lionesses drew level from a 48th-minute Kate Longhurst penalty after Chloe Foster had handled the ball.

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