SARAH Wilson praised Durham Women's resilience as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with top flight side Manchester United.

The Red Devils brought a squad packed with internationals to Maiden Castle for the Continental Tyres Cup group stage clash and twice took the lead through Brazilian Ivana Fuso and in-form Ella Toone.

But they were pegged back on both occasions, first when Dee Bradley headed home from a corner and then when Beth Hepple when swept home a stunning free-kick late in the game.

And while the visitors took a bonus point in the group courtesy of a 5-3 win on penalties, skipper Wilson was quick to praise the performance of her side across the 90 minutes.

"It was absolutely class from everyone," she said.

"The first half, we maybe sat off a little bit too much and in the second half we knew we had to step-up that five, ten yards to make sure we could go for it. 

"We were quite frustrated with the first goal that we conceded and that tiny little lapse in concentration. All credit to the second one, it was a great strike. 

"But to get back into the game twice against that type of team is absolutely phenomenal. I'm so proud of the lasses, I'm buzzing."

Bouncing back twice in a game is impressive enough, but even more so when you consider Manchester United's squad contained no fewer than 13 players with senior international caps.

But Wilson insists that Durham were never deterred by the calibre of their opponents.

"We can play against anyone and we always back ourselves," she added.

"We know that it doesn't matter who we play, we won't be out-worked. We'll always work hard and we'll always graft for each other. We go for it and we don't stop. 

"I think we proved that getting back into the game twice. Once is class, but twice - honestly, I'm literally buzzing. 

"I know it's just the cup and it isn't our main focus this year, but it gives us a huge boost moving on with the league."

The game was played in front of the backdrop of a sold-out crowd at Maiden Castle - and Wilson was quick to praise the impact of the vocal home crowd.

"It was honestly incredible. 

"We can't thank everyone enough. From start to finish, the build-up in the warm-up was class.

"I just want to say all credit to the staff and the team behind the team working hard to get that over the line and to make tonight go as well as it did. 

"It really, really did spur us on to keep on pushing and going."