Norwich City Ladies were knocked out of the FA Women's Premier League Plate despite an encouraging performance at home in the third round against MK Dons.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich City's Kyla Love wins the ball with Jodie Drake against MK Dons. Picture: Brian CoombesNorwich City's Kyla Love wins the ball with Jodie Drake against MK Dons. Picture: Brian Coombes (Image: Archant)

It was the first chance for new manager Grant Palmer to take a look at his new charges and his side got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind after two minutes to a well taken goal by Heather McDonnell. Two minutes later and it got worse for the hosts as Sasha Newsome doubled the Dons' lead.

After surviving the next 10 minutes Norwich gradually began to settle and what followed was a period of equal possession and opportunities for both sides. As play moved into the final third of the first half Norwich stepped up a gear and were rewarded on 42 minutes when Chelsea Garrett beat two defenders and calmly struck the ball past Dons keeper Sophie Shults.

Norwich started the second half just where they left off and Jodie Drake levelled the scores with a well struck shot with just four minutes played.

Two early substitutions by Norwich followed as on 50 minutes Natasha Snelling came on for Millie Daviss and in the 57th minute Hayley Turner came on for Jodie Drake.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich City's Millie Daviss in the action against MK Dons. Picture: Brian CoombesNorwich City's Millie Daviss in the action against MK Dons. Picture: Brian Coombes (Image: Archant)

Soon after the Norwich substitutions the Dons regained the lead. Charly Wright went clear on goal and turned the ball past Fiona Coombes to score Dons' third. Dons then made a couple substitutions and looked the fresher of the two sides culminating in Amelia Hazard scoring their fourth of the afternoon.

Two goals down but not out, Norwich pinned the Dons in their half for much of the final 10 minutes but Norwich just couldn't find the net.

An agonising defeat but nonetheless an encouraging performance. Next up for City Ladies is an away fixture against Denham United Ladies in the league on Sunday, January 14.

Norwich: Coombes, Osborne, Goodfield, McDonald, Ward, Moerkerk, Durrant, Drake (Turner 57), Daviss (Snelling 50), Love, Garrett (Moyo 72), Subs not used: Brogan

MK Dons: Shults, Doyle, Holland (Lander 82), Wright (Duffy 65), Newsome, Naylor, Clark, Mallett, Hazard, Mills (Hughes 73), McDonnell Subs not used: Smith

Referee: Matt Newman

Attendance: 35