An own goal by Germany star Inka Grings gave Arsenal a lifeline in their Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against FCR Duisburg.
The Uefa Cup holders looked set for a conclusive lead at their MSV Arena home after going ahead through a Grings penalty and a Marina Hegering goal.
But on 66 minutes striker Grings headed a Kim Little free-kick into her own net giving the Gunners a vital away goal.
Manager Laura Harvey said: “We had to defend with our lives at times.”
She added: “But we stayed solid and after getting our equaliser we might have snatched an equaliser.
“We’d have settled for that scoreline before the match though, and on the balance of play I’m pleased with the result.”
One negative for Harvey’s team was a booking for midfielder Little, whose second yellow card of the competition means she will miss the second leg.
The influential Scotland international, Arsenal’s leading scorer this season, was cautioned for the 24th-minute handling offence that led to Grings’ penalty opener.
Duisburg had bossed the early stages, and though the Gunners hit back after going behind it seemed the tie might slip away from them following Hegering’s goal.
Harvey’s side forced their way back into contention, however, and they were firmly back in the tie when Grings scored her own goal.
Ten minutes later Gemma Davison might have levelled the scores but saw her goal-bound shot deflected for a corner.
In the closing stages though, the Germans pressed for a third goal and Harvey was thankful to hear the final whistle.
“We’re still in the tie,” said the Arsenal manager. “That was the aim when we came over and we’ve achieved that.
“Now we look to the second leg and it’s a blow that we’ll have Kim Little suspended on Sunday because she’s a big player for us.
“But other players will hopefully step up to the mark. It’s still a massive task to beat Duisburg, but we’ll have home advantage and we’ll give it a real go.”
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