Reading Women's 100 per cent start to The FA Women's Continental League Cup was ended by West Ham as Swiss international Alisha Lehmann's second-half goal earned the Hammers a first win in the competition.

It started out as a very cagey affair with Lehmann's fierce 20-yard strike the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first half as she rattled the Reading crossbar.

But the visitors eventually earned the three Group D points thanks to Lehmann’s tap in 15 minutes from time.

Both defences were staying resolute and limiting the opposition to audacious attempts. Fara Williams forced a comfortable save from Anna Moorhouse with an effort from just outside the area.

Just before half-time Rachel Rowe teed up Angharad James who found herself denied by Moorhouse, diving to her right to stop the Welsh international's low, curling effort.

Matt Beard's West Ham changed to a back five at half-time as an attempt to exploit the Royals in wide areas.

But early in the second half, Amalie Eikeland had a great chance for the hosts having driven into the penalty area, but her attempted chip over Moorhouse was saved.

Minutes later, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi cut inside for the visitors but Rachael Laws was equal to her shot.

Midway through the second half Lehmann was played through on goal after a swift Hammers counter-attack but, under pressure from Maz Pacheco, she squandered the chance by dragging her shot wide.

Eventually it was West Ham who opened the scoring with 15 minutes to go.

Substitute Leanne Kiernan unselfishly squared the ball to Lehmann for a tap in at the far post – her fourth goal in her last three games against Reading.

Reading's Remi Allen said: "We're really disappointed. If you look at the stats we've dominated possession throughout and have played in and around their box, we just haven't executed anything so to lose the way we did was very disappointing.

"They were difficult to break down and credit to them for that, but I think a lot of it was down to our lack of quality in the final third. When we watch it back we'll see chances we could have created.

“In terms of performance we dominated the game and improved so much from Manchester United so there are positives to take but we need to work on things as well.

"We believe in the players we have, our forward players, midfield players to score goals so we know it will come, but we just need to work a little bit harder."