By Tony Leighton
Midfielder Kim Little hit the winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Swedish champions Umea 3-2 in a pulsating first leg of their Women's Uefa Cup quarter-final.
In an end-to-end encounter at Borehamwood there could have been more goals for both sides after the Gunners had taken an early lead through Jayne Ludlow.
Wales midfielder Ludlow headed home at the far post from a free-kick by England's Kelly Smith after only 90 seconds.
Umea hit back immediately and after mounting a series of attacks they drew level through Mami Yamaguchi's near-post header in the 14th minute.
Play was held up for 12 minutes after Umea's Madeleine Edlund suffered a 27th-minute neck injury which led to her substitution after intensive on-field treatment.
Either side of half-time Arsenal wasted a couple of excellent chances to regain the lead, with Smith then Ludlow the culprits.
And the Gunners paid the price for their profligacy when Frida Ostberg put Umea ahead with a 20-yard shot that went in off the post in the 70th minute.
The Swedes looked odds-on at this stage to head into the second leg with a distinct advantage, but a substitution paid huge dividends for the home side.
Scotland captain Julie Fleeting, with her first touch after stepping off the subs' bench, equalised from close range after Smith's 77th-minute shot had been blocked.
And three minutes later Fleeting's international colleague Little scored what could be the most vital goal of the tie with a tremendous 18-yard effort.
Arsenal manager Vic Akers said: "Umea made it an open game and once we'd come to terms with that we could have scored more goals than we did.
"But we played well, and although we'll have to aim to pen them back at their place we'll go into the second leg with confidence."
Goalscorer Ludlow added: "We've got a one-goal advantage but we won't go into the second leg to defend - we'll be aiming to win the match."
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