Gibson gave the Lady Magpies an early lead before the hosts levelled shortly after. But Elson's strike on 15 minutes restored Newcastle's lead and that is how the scoreline remained, as Becky Langley's side moved to the top of the table following Leeds United Women's 1-0 loss to Durham Cestria.

The Lady Magpies flew out of the traps at the start of the match, with Emma Wallis going close from an early corner and Katie Barker clipping the post with a dangerous effort.

And it didn't take Langley's team long to take the lead, as Gibson rose high to head home Lauren Robson's free-kick.

With ten minutes on the clock, York were level, with a free-kick from the edge of the area beating Grace Donnelly in the Newcastle goal.

Further action followed just five minutes later, as Elson slotted the ball home with ease after being put through one-on-one.

After the early flurry of chances, the first half became a cagey affair, with opportunities at a premium.

Elson and Robson both had sighters of goal before the break, but the hosts remained firm and the deficit remained at one.

York started the second period the better of the two sides, forcing Donnelly to make an impressive save down low to her right to preserve United's lead.

Newcastle responded, and after some superb footwork from Barker, Gibson's looping effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

As the match entered the closing stages, substitute Lois Greenslade almost made an immediate impact but her whipped cross was cleared following a spill from the goalkeeper.

Gibson almost had her second of the match moments later, seeing her strike deflected wide after some delightful link-up from Daisy Burt and Robson down the Newcastle right.

With just minutes to play, Ellie Dobson towered over the York defence to head Gibson's free-kick towards goal, but her effort sailed narrowly over.

As York pressed for an equaliser in the dying moments, superb defending from Wallis suppressed a late attack, ensuring the Lady Magpies took all three points back to Tyneside.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Daisy Burt, Emma Wallis, Jane Harland, Keira Skelton, Ellie Dobson, Gillian Oyos, Lauren Robson (Becky Ferguson 80), Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson (Lois Greenslade 66), Katie Barker

Subs not used: Charlotte Potts, Sharna Wilkinson, Mille Bell

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC