Shoot-out delight as Hatters down Dons

Luton started the brighter side and took the lead after 25 minutes. Lydia Radley crossed a dangerous ball, Michelle Byrne won the flick and it dropped kindly to McKay who fired home from ten yards.

Town then lost captain Shaneice Jiminez through injury and she was replaced by Erica Byron. McKay had another chance as she hit the bar, and Byrne was unlucky to see a header fly wide.

Early in the second half Dons piled the pressure on and some excellent defending from Rachel Kosky and Rachel Carter kept the score 1-0.

Soon after Dons finally equalised after Staples had made the first save and was unlucky to not get to the rebound. For the remaining 20 minutes there were chances at both ends.

In extra time the Hatters found some extra wind and continued to press and Lydia Radley was unlucky not to score, as was McKay and Zara Carroll. At the other end, Nicki Livingstone kept the town in the game by heading the ball off the line.

The game ended 1-1 and penalties it was. Hollie Staples saved the first penalty, as Byron put the Town 1-0 up. Staples went on to become the hero as she saved two more penalties, and McKay and Carroll converted their kicks to send the Hatters through.

>> The reserves defeated Hackney Women 3-2 with Remii Bains scoring a brace and Jael Muzzi adding the third. Angelika Kopec saved a penalty on her debut.