A brilliant late strike from substitute Ella Toone earned Manchester United a 1-0 victory in a hard-fought Women’s Super League clash with Leicester.

It was the hosts who had come closest, with Yuka Momiki hitting a post, before Toone sent a long-range effort into the top corner with seven minutes remaining to boost United’s hopes of finishing fourth.

United boss Marc Skinner made three changes from last weekend’s draw against Tottenham, with Hannah Blundell, Hinata Miyazawa and Geyse coming in for Aoife Mannion, Toone and Nikita Parris, while Mary Earps made her 100th WSL appearance.

Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig returned from injury for Leicester as one of their three changes from last weekend’s loss to Arsenal.

Melvine Malard looked a threat for United early on, sending an effort off target before setting up Geyse for a shot that was deflected behind.

But Leicester too had started brightly and the lively Jutta Rantala just missed the target with a curling effort before Geyse’s fine strike forced Leitzig into a good save at her near post.

Rantala then shot just over the bar after collecting a good ball from Lena Petermann in space and driving towards the box.

The half finished with United nearly making the breakthrough, Maya Le Tissier sending a long ball across the pitch to Leah Galton, who met it with a sliding shot that was pushed away by Leitzig.

Missy Goodwin headed wide with the first real chance of the second half before another fine save from Leitzig, this time sticking out a leg to keep out a low shot from Geyse.

Midway through the half Leicester should have gone ahead after Earps parried Goodwin’s cross-shot, but Momiki could only direct the ball against a post with the goal gaping.

Petermann almost turned in the rebound but clashed with Earps, who needed lengthy treatment.

Momiki had another great chance when she was teed up by Petermann in the middle of the box but this time shot tamely at Earps.

And the hosts were made to pay for those missed opportunities when Toone produced a moment of real quality, picking up the ball from Katie Zelem, turning and giving Leitzig no chance with a superb right-footed strike.

Lucia Garcia could have made the points safe moments later but was again denied by the Leicester keeper and United had to negotiate 15 minutes of injury time before celebrating a hard-won victory.