West Ham United Ladies scored a vital 1-0 FA Tesco Women's Premier League Southern Division victory at Queens Park Rangers - a result that puts the Hammers within touching distance of promotion to the National Division for the first time in the club's history.

Julia Setford's side now sit a point behind leaders Colchester United, who have finished their complement of fixtures, with one league match remaining. Third-place Portsmouth have three games left to play but sit four points adrift of West Ham.

With their hosts battling to avoid relegation, the Hammers were forced to work hard for their victory at Hayes FC's Farm Park stadium, with the winning goal being scored by Lindsey Morgan (pictured) just 12 minutes from full-time.

West Ham had beaten QPR 3-0 at Ship Lane back in October, but the west London side have made a host of new signings since then and posed a serious threat to the visitors' title ambitions.

The first half was a midfield battle, with West Ham having to rely on breakaway attacks as QPR camped inside the Hammers half. Centre-backs Rosey Sulivan and Danica Revell were in fine form, however, and Rangers had to settle for long-range efforts that goalkeeper Nikki Duncan dealt with confidently.

The second half was a more frantic and evenly-balanced affair as the Hammers' stamina and fitness began to tell, but not before QPR's Cherrelle Albert had rattled the post with a powerful shot and both Sullivan and Natalie Grafton had made vital clearances.

The longer the game went on, the more West Ham gained control and they finally broke the deadlock in the 78th minute.

Having broken out from the back, Becky Merritt showed some clever footwork on the edge of the penalty area before firing in a powerful shot that goalkeeper Michelle Beazley could only push back into the penalty area. Morgan pounced to drive in another shot that Beazley could only push into the back of the net.

The remaining 12 minutes were nail-biting for both sets of supporters as both teams fought for every ball until the final whistle.

West Ham now have to wait until 4 March for their final league match at home to Brighton and Hove Albion and for the promotion places to be decided.

In the meantime, Setford's team will continue in three cup competitions, starting next week away at Colchester United in the League Cup. On 5 February, the Ladies travel to Derby County in the FA Women's Cup third round, while C and K Basildon will form the opposition in the Essex FA County Cup semi-finals on 19 February.

West Ham United Ladies: Nikki Duncan, Natalie Grafton, Jess Barling, Danica Revell, Rosey Sullivan, Stacey Little, Lindsey Morgan, Carly Roache, Kelley Blanchflower, Becky Merritt, Gemma Shepherd
Subs: Tracey Duxbury, Kerry Stimson, Mel Abegglen, April Bowers