Despite playing some impressive hockey, goalkeeper Fiona Battersby insists her side’s draw against Loughborough Students is very much a point gained as Kendal Ladies edge further away from relegation trouble.

Holly Brown and Madeleine Newlyn scored to give the visitors a commanding lead before goals from Nicola Conway and Rosie Dale secured a vital point for the home side.

And with all the teams below them in the league – Ben Rhydding, Boots and Doncaster – tasting defeat, Battersby believes this puts Kendal’s result firmly into context.

“We view the outcome really positively and see it as a really good point to take,” she said. “On paper we perhaps shouldn’t be taking three points from Loughborough so to get one is fantastic.

“Having said that we did have our fair share of chances so who knows we perhaps could have got more but we’re definitely happy with one.

“Anything we can get from a game at this stage of the season is valuable and helps keep that distance between us and the relegation play-off places.

“The fact our closest rivals all lost and we got a point is a fantastic outcome for us. We’ve taken four points in three games now which is great.”

After Kendal created a number of early chances, Loughborough opened the scoring in the 25th minute as Brown found the net following a penalty corner.

The away side doubled their advantage on 32 minutes as Newlyn reacted quickest to fire past Battersby in the Kendal goal after the initial effort was saved.

Nicola Conway halved the deficit moments before half-time, with the 23-year-old now the outright leader at the top of the Investec Conference North goalscoring charts.

The hosts enjoyed the majority possession in the second period and equalised through Rosie Dale in the 66th minute, defending well in the latter stages to make sure of a point.

Kendal have four games remaining this season and are currently three points above Boots who occupy the relegation play-off spot, with high-flying Wakefield the opposition this weekend.

And while some intriguing fixtures lie ahead, including a showdown with bottom club Doncaster, Battersby is confident Kendal have the quality to stay clear of a relegation dogfight.

“There is a good vibe in the camp but not enough to get complacent as that would be foolish,” she added.

“We have the top three to play plus Doncaster and we’d hate to come away from that game with an unfortunate result as it would put us in trouble again.

“As for Saturday and Wakefield, I think it will be an exciting game and we’re going to enjoy it. That’s when we play our best hockey.”