A GOAL in each half saw Leigh Ramblers Ladies advance in the Women’s FA Cup at the expense of Bowers & Pitsea Ladies.

Ramblers, who were competing in their first ever Women’s FA Cup tie, will now travel to Histon in the second qualifying round thanks to the 2-0 victory.

It was a cagey opening 10 minutes, with both sides finding their feet in the game, but the first shot in anger went Bowers’ way as Sophie Dowman fired over the crossbar.

Leigh were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Bowers conceded an indirect free-kick, but Taylor Parrish reacted quickly to block the effort.

With just two minutes of the first half remaining, Abbi Brown broke the deadlock.

And Ramblers sealed the win as the ball was adjudged to have crossed the goal-line four minutes after the break.

Bowers’ frustrations were compounded when Ebony Moore saw her lobbed attempt ruled out for offside.