Beaten, but unbowed as all three Nottinghamshire sides bowed out of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup following valiant efforts, on the road, on Sunday afternoon.

Goalless at the interval, Andi Bell’s Mansfield Town Ladies cruelly fell to a stoppage time winner when away to Burton Albion Women, Ellie Marshall netting for the Stags in a heart-breaking, 2-1 reverse.

Understandably disappointed with the result, Bell said after the heart-breaking defeat: “One of these days we’ll be on the right side of these decisions.

“Deserved more from the game but that’s the football sometimes.

“Incredibly proud of the squad effort.

“We regroup, and learn from this: best of luck to Burton Albion in the next round.”

Adam Dunleavy’s Notts County Women also netted when away to Shifnal Town; another tie to be goalless at the break, a rocket of a strike from Elle Rowson afforded the visitors the lead, only to be undone by a disputed penalty, and a rebounded effort which beat Philipa Davies, County losing by the same score, Maria Bell and Katie Mitchell the match-winners.

Meanwhile Daniel Corlett’s Nottingham Trent University Women are on a journey of discovery this season and their cup run ended when away to the six-time FA Cup winners, Doncaster Rovers Belles as Jess Andrew, Jasmine Saxton and Nadia Khan netted in a 3-0 win for the hosts.

NTU said of their cup run: “Yesterday saw our Vitality Women’s FA Cup run come to an end with a fighting display in losing 3-0 to Doncaster Belles.

“What an experience it has been though, not just played the 6 time winners of the cup, but progressing as far as we have!”

Four Nottinghamshire clubs were also on league duty, in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Division One North with both SJR of Worksop Women and Notts County Women Development the main beneficiaries.

Nestled in mid-table, the pair both collected victories, SJR winning 2-1 away to another local side, Sherwood Women, they netting through Katie Fish, whilst Lynsay Law and Ellie Sims scored for Worksop to move into fifth place.

Meanwhile, Thomas Hodges’ County Devs side extended their unbeaten run to four (three draws, one win) after they claimed a 3-1 success against visiting Sleaford Town Ladies; Alice Hayes had the visitors in front early on however, a quick-fire brace from Jessica Travers, and a second half effort from Leah Dalby, gave the hosts all three points – victory putting them a point behind SJR, in sixth.

Afterwards, Hodges said: “UP THE DEVS!! A brilliant result at home today.

“A very good game played by both teams but it was the Notts County Women that came out on top of the game with Sleaford Town.

“Credit to Sleaford for their football played too!”

In the top-of-the-table clash, at Grimsby’s Hawthorn Avenue home, in Brigg, hosts Grimsby Town Sport & Education Trust Women, took apart visiting Arnold Eagles Women, who remain second (by two points, playing a game more, than Nottingham Trent).

Substitute Emily Blyth netted twice for the hosts, whilst there were also efforts from Ava Houlston, Amber Sharpe and Ellie Wilson, in the 5-0 win.

(NB – The First Round Proper draw for the Vitality Women’s FA Cup has been made and has drawn Nottingham Forest Women at home to Lichfield City, tie to be played on Sunday 14 November).

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NCFC_Women Notts County Development Women were 3-1 winners against Sleaford.