BICESTER Ladies extended their lead at the top of Trysports Three Counties League Division 1 with a battling 3-2 victory at home to Gerrards Cross.

The hosts started slowly and only the heroics of goalkeeper Joanna Underhill kept them in the game.

But they took the lead when Beatrice Gunn scored with a perfectly-executed penalty corner.

Gerrards Cross soon equalised, but the home side pressed again and Ali McGregor restored their lead before half-time.

Early in the second half, Nicolene Willers made it 3-1 after some good link-up play.

But the visitors would not go away and grabbed one goal back from a short corner.

Bicester then suffered the loss of Lorraine Brickell to injury.

But tough tackling from Samantha Horle and Laura Harbottle kept their opponents at bay.

There was late drama, when Gerrards Cross appeared to have equalised, but the effort was disallowed for a previous infringement and Bicester hung on for victory.

They are now three points clear of second-place Marlow 3rd, whom they visit on Saturday.