Cup heartbreak for ladies

West Ham United Ladies saw their FA Women's Cup dreams dashed when they lost out to Barnet by the odd goal in five after an extra-time thriller.

The fifth-round tie at Thurrock was a pulsating affair with the Hammers having won through courtesy of a memorable defeat of top-flight Bristol Academy in the previous round. Barnet took the lead early on but the home side battled back through Nina Downham. That took the contest into an additional 30 minutes.

By then, the Bees were down to ten players but they still managed to regain the lead in the first half of extra time. However, Downham sent the home support wild with her second goal of the match, heading in from close range. Barnet responded though by going up the other end straight away and scoring the winner.

Tony Marshall's side could have snatched a last-gasp equaliser and sent the game to a shoot-out, only for Becky Merritt to unfortunately miss from a penalty when the referee pointed to the spot in the dying moments. Her effort sent the Barnet keeper the wrong way but, much to her dismay, crashed against the woodwork and away to safety.