Everton Women's boss Willie Kirk believes his side will learn lessons after being pegged back from two goals up to share a 2-2 WSL draw with Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Goals from Chloe Kelly and Inessa Kaagman gave the Blues a commanding lead at The Hive Stadium, only for the hosts hit back late on to keep Everton sixth in the table.
Kelly's ninth goal of the season set the visitors on their way inside 30 minutes. Kaagman found the striker in acres of space just outside the 18-yard area, the 22-year-old then had ample time to pick her spot and fire into the bottom left-hand corner.
With one goal in the bag, Everton's continued to press their hosts. England international Kelly came inches away from getting her toe to Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah's cross before she fired wide with a fierce right-footed effort.
However, it wasn't too long before the Blues' dominance found its reward. Much like Kelly, Kaagman was given an age to pick her spot and fire past Rebecca Spencer in the Spurs goal.
Tottenham soon hit back, though. Substitute Angela Addison found space inside the six-yard area to nod past Tinja-Riikka Korpela before Emma Mitchell's 30-yard free-kick drew the hosts level 13 minutes from the end.
"It is certainly two points dropped, without a shadow of a doubt," Kirk told evertonfc.com.
"To go from a 2-0 lead to sharing the points is frustrating, which is unlike us.
"It is the first time this season we have conceded in the final 20 minutes of a game, which was something that was pointed out before we started.
"It is also our first draw in the league, so, in averages, we had to get one at some point but certainly from the position we were in and how well we had played up until then, we should never had let Spurs back into the game."
For large parts, Everton were in the ascendency and looked like the side likely to add more goals.
The Blues rued missed opportunities in the end but Kirk insists lessons will be learnt.
"The big learning point from the players is that killing the game off is not going from 2-0 to 3-0.
"It is going into control mode, doing the basics correctly, making contact with players in the middle of the pitch and there are a lot of basics there that we should have done better.
"I felt as if it was their first goal that changed the game, rather than the second goal.
"The second was a fantastic strike, but it was the first one that gave them the encouragement, motivation and that, ultimately, is what has done us."
Everton Women are back in action on Monday night as they face Bristol City in the Women's FA Cup.
Everton Women’s first match in their new home at Walton Hall Park will be against Manchester United on Sunday 23 February (12.30pm kick-off).
Stadium capacity for the game will be reduced and capped at 1,500 for the visit of Casey Stoney’s side, while the Blues complete work to increase capacity for future fixtures.
Supporters must purchase tickets ahead of the first fixture at the Club’s new home with no ticket sales taking place at the ground on the day.
Tickets can be purchased here.
