The Magpies found themselves 2-0 down after just 15 minutes at the City Ground, but goals from Kathleen McGovern and Martha Thomas in an inspired second half display secured a point.

United created a bundle of chances after the break, with the majority of the game played in Forest's half as the unbeaten Lasses showed their resilience.

"I never doubted we were going to get back in the game," the Australian manager said. "I was just thinking (in the first half), 'how are we in this position?'

"I think it was a game of two halves, and in the first half we looked disjointed - the two goals we conceded were really unlike us in terms of the manner in which we conceded them.

"But I asked for a response from the players at half time, and we got one. I thought our energy, intent and everything about us in the second half was brilliant."

Newcastle remain top of the Barclays Women's Super League 2 and are one of four unbeaten teams.

Oxtoby's side are now halfway to matching last season’s tally of 32 goals scored after just six league games, following McGovern and Thomas' strikes on Sunday.

"If this was last season, there's no way that response would have happened," she added.

"So massive credit to the group we have here and the players who came into the game as well, because I just thought our intent, purpose and desire to get back into the game was super."

The comeback began after the break when United's number nine McGovern, who hadn't started a league game since the 27th September, got her second of the season.

"I think she's been really patient and often doesn't play in her preferred position," Oxtoby said.

"She's an out and out goalscorer, and she pops up when we need her, so I'm really pleased that she got her goal - and obviously pleased for the whole team to have kept our unbeaten run going."