If there was any example of how to dig deep through adversity Tottenham Ladies demonstrated it in exhilarating fashion – coming from behind to get a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

It keeps Karen Hills’ Lilywhites on top of the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division, three points ahead of Cardiff City and with a game in hand.

Dan Carlton, making her Spurs debut, connected with a volley that went inches wide of Chanelle Yardley’s post but it was the Eagles who started the brighter.

And they took an early lead. With just nine minutes on the clock Gemma Bryan broke to the inside right before firing low across Megen Lynch.

Spurs almost found an immediate response when Freya Holdaway’s back-pass to Yardley was seized upon by Wendy Martin. But the keeper managed to deflect the ball wide with her legs.

But slowly Tottenham upped the tempo and after a couple of close calls they found an equaliser.

With the break imminent, Sophie Mclean picked out Bianca Baptiste with a splitting pass and she slid home the equaliser with precision.

The start of the second half was almost a carbon-copy of the first with Bryan crashing a dipping shot off the post from an angle.

The best move of the match came from Tottenham. Lynch rolled the ball out to Renee Hector who picked out Lucia Leon.

Her one-two with Baptiste gave Nikita Whinnett an opening, only for the menacing forward to curl just wide.

With 12 minutes remaining, Spurs’ need of inspiration was delivered.

Jenna Schillaci’s floated free-kick dipped towards Martin who splendidly looped her header into the far corner out of reach of Yardley.

Spurs are next in action on Sunday when they host Coventry United Ladies in the league.