Grace Clinton scored on the stroke of half-time to secure Manchester United a 1-0 Women’s Super League victory at Crystal Palace.

The visitors dominated from the off, but could not find a breakthrough until the fifth minute of first-half added time.

Clinton capitalised on Palace’s mistakes to net the winner and ensure fourth-placed United kept pace with their rivals at the top of the WSL table.

Palace remain rooted to the bottom with five points, though just one behind 11th-placed Leicester.

There was an early attempt by Elisabeth Terland, whose effort was deflected wide, then Palace keeper Shae Yanez was called into action to deny Gabby George.

Yanez claimed Maya Le Tissier’s free-kick from distance, and United came even closer when Leah Galton caught the post with her header.

American striker Katie Stengel tried to get something going for the hosts but could only volley into the side-netting before she was forced off and replaced by Ashleigh Weerden in the 42nd minute.

Dominique Janssen sent a shot wide, but Clinton fired United in front just as it seemed the goalless stalemate would be preserved at the halfway point.

Yanez, under pressure from Galton, was discombobulated, and while she eventually managed to send a pass in the direction of Aimee Everett, the Eagles captain could not control the ball.

Clinton pounced and blasted into the back of Yanez’s net with one of the final touches in five minutes of stoppage time.

Yanez made another big save to deny Geyse – who picked up an assist from the opener – before Weerden called Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a rare bit of action, sending her effort straight at the United keeper.

Palace were resilient and won a couple of late free-kicks, but could not find the finishing touch after one resulted in a loose ball in front of Tullis-Joyce’s goal before it was eventually hooked away.

Another promising run from Weerden amounted to little after the Netherlands international was caught between two white shirts.

Marc Skinner might have wanted more, but United clung on for a less-than-comfortable win.