Acontroversial late goal saw AFC Wimbledon through to the fourth round of the F A Women's Cup with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

The two returning first team strikers, Gemma Hunt and Beth Sims, both started on the bench, and although the Dons dominated the first half territorially, Palace looked dangerous on the break, and after Keisha Ramos had burst clean through only to mishit a shot straight to the keeper the visitors went ahead in the 15th minute, Newell curling an excellent shot into the far corner from 20 yards. Lizzie Laws then had a dipping volley just over, but Palace failed to heed this warning as in the 42nd minute a superb 20 yard volley from Laws dipped over the keeper to put the Dons deservedly level at the break.

Crystal Palace then had an excellent ten minute spell at the beginning of the second half, Lou Cooper turning an Osuji shot round the post, Covington having a fierce volley blocked on the line and Newell's cross from the far touchline striking the Dons bar. Gradually Wimbledon got back into the game, although Cooper bravely cleared from Osuji and Covington's shot cannoned off the underside of the bar when it was easier to score than miss. The Dons went ahead in the 82nd minute when good approach work by Laura Smith and Gemma Hunt ended with a fierce Smith drive fumbled by Sharp and ruled over the line by the assistant referee. Beth Sims then came on and had a shot saved before settling Dons nerves in the sixth minute of injury time, firing a rising volley past Sharp after a clever pass by Gemma Hunt had worked a clear shooting opportunity.

[ --- wimbledonheritage.co.uk]