AMELIA RIPLEY was the architect of Kendal’s downfall with two goals as Accrington strengthened their grip on third-place in the league table.

Leah Embley and Joanna Duckworth also hit the target for the Livingstone Road side as Joanne Thompson and Faye Armstrong replied for the visitors.

Accrington made the perfect start as Ripley raced onto an Amy Lucas through ball after five minutes to fire powerfully past advancing Kendal goalkeeper Jen Carradus.

Less than ten minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage as Embley  produced an emphatic finish after being released on the left flank and cutting inside.

Ripley struck the inside of the post but refused to be denied her second goal of the afternoon, rounding Carradus to slot home shortly before the break.

Thompson pulled a goal back two minutes into the second period following a Kendal corner before the game deteriorated into a scrappy affair.

Despite the away side showing improvement, Accrington reasserted their authority on 65 minutes as Duckworth headed home Ruth Hopton’s flick on.

Kendal continued to press and pulled a further goal back with quarter of an hour remaining, Armstrong’s snap-shot flying past Accrington stopper Emily Rogers.

Now without a win in four matches, Kendal face a crucial game this Sunday at Woolton, with the Liverpool outfit seven points adrift of the Parkside Road club with four games in hand.