Leicester gave their WSL survival hopes a major boost with a 3-2 win over Brighton.

The Foxes picked up a third successive home win to move six points clear of Crystal Palace in the relegation zone.

They led 3-0 at half-time thanks to strikes from Shannon O’Brien, Saori Takarada and a Rachel McLauchlan own goal.

Madison Haley’s 73rd-minute goal looked likely to be just a consolation for Brighton, especially when Leicester were awarded a penalty.

But Nicole Momiki missed from the spot, before Fran Kirby made it 3-2 with an 81st-minute penalty at the other end.

But the Seagulls were unable to complete an unlikely comeback as Leicester held on.

The hosts were straight on the attack with Shana Chossenotte breaking clear but sending her shot over the crossbar.

Hannah Cain then floated over a dangerous cross which O’Brien headed wide before the hosts took the lead in the 11th minute.

A loose ball fell to O’Brien on the edge of the box and she lashed it low into the bottom corner for her second goal of the season.

Brighton attempted to hit straight back and Nadine Noordam’s effort was held by Janina Leitzig.

Foxes goalkeeper Leitzig was almost embarrassed moments later when she dropped a cross at the feet of Nikita Parris, but her shot was blocked by Chantelle Swaby.

Instead Leicester doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Cain got clear down the right and crossed for Takarada to home from close range and open her WSL account for the season.

It should have been three when another Cain cross found O’Brien but Poppy Pattinson got a vital block in.

However, the Foxes did get a third before the break with Cain the creator again, crossing for Chossenotte who bravely challenged Brighton goalkeeper Melina Loeck.

The ball squirmed away from Loeck and hit the thigh of McLauchlan  before rolling over the line.

Brighton should have pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Parris headed the ball down in the area but Maria Thorisdottir’s shot from 10 yards out was straight at Leitzig.

They grabbed a lifeline with 18 minutes left when Parris teed up Haley, who rifled home from the edge of the box.

Haley then conceded a penalty by shoving over Sam Tierney, but Momiki’s effort was tipped behind by Loeck.

Momiki immediately compounded her error by tripping Parris in the area and Kirby converted the spot-kick to set up a nervy finish.

But Parris blazed a good chance too high and Leitzig tipped Pattinson’s shot over at the end of nine minutes of stoppage time as Leicester clung on for what could be a major win in their survival bid.