Tranmere Rovers Women exited the FA Cup after a defeat on penalties to Chester Le Street after a battling draw.
Tranmere started off brightly and got in behind the Chester Le Street defence in the opening minute when Katie Bowers Folan was played in behind, but the keeper was quick off her line to deny her.
Tranmere continued to mount pressure on the opposition defence and went close again through efforts from Amy Shannon and Anya McCready.
Minutes later it was Holly Jones’ turn to go close when her presence put the keeper under pressure, but her chipped shot drifted wide.
Half an hour into the game Tranmere took a deserved lead when the ball fell kindly for Amy Shannon who cut inside and unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top corner.
Tranmere started the second half with purpose and went close when Cloe Robinson’s freekick was headed to Bowers Folan on the edge of the area, but she fired wide of the target.
Minutes later Chester Le Street went close with an effort of their own which was well saved by Amelia Size in the Rovers goal before Kiah Sullivan went close with a succession of freekicks which beat the keeper but cannoned off the post.
With 20 minutes remaining Chester Le Street got their equaliser when a ball from the left fell to the feet of their forward who fired low past Size and into the bottom corner of the net.
After the Chester Le Street equaliser the game became stretched with both sides having chances to steal the tie but were unable to find a winner and with the referees whistle it was to be penalties to decide the teams fate in the competition.
Unfortunately, it would not be Tranmere’s day as Chester Le Street advanced to the next round with a 4-2 victory on penalties despite the best efforts from the Rovers team.
We now turn our attention back to league football and a challenging battle for promotion.