Manchester City were crowned Women's Super League champions for the first time in 10 years after Arsenal were held to a draw in their must-win trip to Brighton.
With three of their remaining four games in hand on City and an 11-point deficit to the leaders, only a Gunners victory was enough to keep the title race alive.
Fuka Tsunoda struck two minutes before the break to put the Seagulls ahead, but Frida Maanum levelled in the 62nd minute for the third-placed visitors.
Arsenal, though, could not find the crucial winner to hand City their second WSL title - following their 2016 triumph - and first major trophy since the Women's League Cup in 2022.
The Gunners were below par in the first half and fortunate not to go behind inside 90 seconds. Olaug Tvedten's left-footed strike brought an early save from visiting keeper Daphne van Domselaar, before Carla Camacho headed the follow-up chance over the bar.
The hosts took a deserved lead shortly before the break when Arsenal failed to deal with a free-kick and Tsunoda's deflected shot flew past van Domselaar.
The introduction at half-time of Mariona Caldentey, one of five changes from the Arsenal starting XI which lost to Lyon in the Women's Champions League semi-final second leg on Saturday, sparked the visitors into an improved second half.
Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a fingertip save to deny Caitlin Foord and stopped a long-range effort from Caldentey, before Maanum calmly swept home Alessia Russo's through-ball.
In a frenetic finale, Nnadozie got down low to block a header from Russo as Brighton clung on for the point.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers said: "We went into these three games and that was the plan, to put as much pressure as possible on City but we weren't successful, so that's really disappointing.
"Congratulations to City. They have been very consistent in the league and very good.
"Credit to Brighton, who are a very tough opponent to play against. They did well, but we have to look at ourselves and we are very disappointed."
While they missed out on the title, Arsenal extended their unbeaten WSL run to 14 games and moved four points behind second-placed Chelsea with two games in hand on the Blues.
Hosts Brighton, who remain in sixth place and are just two points away from equalling their highest WSL points total (28) with one game to play, head into Sunday's Women's FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool unbeaten in six matches in all competitions.
