Nottingham Forest Women 1 Newcastle United Women 2 | OneFootball

Kirsty Smith's second-half strike for newly-promoted Nottingham Forest Women made the victory far less comfortable than looked likely at the break, but Becky Langley's side did enough to claim all three points from a tough opening-day fixture.

As well as Pike, there were also first starts for USA international Morgan Gautrat and former Manchester United Women defender Aiofe Mannion, while Oona Sevenius made her bow from the bench.

The Magpies were backed by an impressive travelling support and, sporting their blue third kit, took the lead after seven minutes.

Republic of Ireland ace Murphy headed Beth Lumsden's corner beyond Emily Batty to give United a flying start to the game and their season.

Two minutes later, Murphy set off on a direct run from just inside the Forest half and pulled the ball back for Shania Hayles, but last season's leading scorer was denied by a trailing leg from Batty.

The hosts tried to respond through Aimee Claypole, who shot wide on the turn, then Freya Thomas, who sent a snapshot narrowly off target after Deanna Rose's run had been halted by Deanna Cooper.

In the 25th minute Emma Kelly saw a long-range piledriver crash off the bar after Pike directed Freya Gregory's cross into her path, but seconds later United had the second goal their display deserved.

Hayles made progress on the left before cutting the ball back for summer signing Pike to convert at the far post.

Cooper, wearing the captain's armband with new skipper Demi Stokes starting on the bench, made a brave block from Amy Rodgers shortly before half time.

But Kirsty Smith claimed what was Forest's first ever WSL2 goal as she forced home from a 51st-minute corner.

Batty held a powerful free kick from Lumsden, but Forest pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages. However, the Magpies defended stoicly to see the game out, with their first home fixture coming against Sheffield United Women at Gateshead International Stadium next weekend.

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Charlotte Wardlaw, Morgan Gautrat, Emma Kelly (Jasmine McQuade 60), Shania Hayles (Oona Sevenius 69), Molly Pike (Lois Joel 60), Freya Gregory (Demi Stokes 69), Deanna Cooper (c), Aoife Mannion, Beth Lumsden (Lia Cataldo 86), Emily Murphy

Subs not used: Małgorzata Grec, Jorja Fox, Amelia Freeman