AFC Wimbledon Women edged closer to a crack at securing silverware with a hard-fought Capital Cup quarter-final victory yesterday.
Goals from Emily Donovan and Ellie Dorey secured a 2-1 win, as a potential second-half fightback from Millwall Lionesses was denied.
The first chance of the game at Carshalton fell to Molly Childerhouse, who had a shot from distance, but her effort was well gathered by the Millwall goalkeeper.
Millwall tested Lauren Allen in the Wimbledon goal shortly afterwards, but she pulled off an excellent save to gather the ball safely.
The opening goal of the game came from the Dons. Sandra Soares Martins caused havoc in the box and the ball fell to Donovan, who slotted it under the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
There was better to come as the advantage was doubled when Dorey finished clinicially after a lovely ball through by Molly Childerhouse.
Sandra Soares Martins nearly struck a goal of the season contender as she weaved her way in and out of the Millwall defence, before trying her luck from the edge of the box, but her shot rattled the crossbar!
With a 2-0 half-time lead, it appeared that the Dons were cruising to victory, but that all changed as Millwall halved the deficit thanks to an own goal after an attempted clearance by Dorey.
Kevin Foster made attacking changes just before the hour with Skye Bacon replacing Steph Mann, and Ashleigh Goddard was introduced for Childerhouse.
The substitutions almost paid off immediately as Soares Martins produced excellent work down the right-hand side to feed an excellent ball into Bacon, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Rebecca Carter was called into action as she replaced Soares Martins.
The two goalkeepers were tested in the latter stages, and Wimbledon were forced into a late change between the sticks with Faye Baker having to replace Lauren Allen, who had picked up a head injury.
However, the Dons held on and that meant a semi-final to look forward to for Kevin Foster's top-of-the-table side, as they chase an end of season double.
Pic credit: Emily Topping