Yeovil Town Ladies went into their South West Women's Combination League against highly-fancied Cardiff City Ladies at Tintinhull on Sunday without either of their two recognised goalkeepers.

First-choice keeper Jodie Rice was away, while Charlotte Pearce was ruled out because of an appendicitis. So it was left to outfield player Gemma Baker to take up the Number One shirt between the posts - and Yeovil put up a battling performance to go down narrowly 4-3.

Cardiff, unbeaten this season without having conceded a goal, started well and took the lead in the 20th minute and went further ahead ten minutes later when the ball cannoned off a Yeovil defender and into the net.

But the Glovers came back into the match in just before the half-time interval Mariesa Dryhurst slotted the ball home from 12 yards. Following the half-time break, Yeovil did well and from a Charlotte Sparrow free-kick Dryhurst made it 2-2.

The game was end-to-end stuff and with 15 minutes to go Cardiff regained the initiative, but once again the never-say-die Yeovil replied when Nicky Payne harassed the keeper and her clearance rebounded off Payne into the net.

With Yeovil on the brink of getting an unexpected point, there was heartbreak five minutes from the end when Cardiff snatched the winner.

Yeovil's Lee Ann Morris, who broke her leg last December, made her comeback when she came on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes.

Yeovil manager John Flatters said: "We are disappointed not to have got a point. But this was another improved performance and we are continuing to improve. It will take time, but I am confident coach Steve Phelps will see us soon on the winning trail.

"I would like to thank Tintinhull for staging Sunday's game as it was really appreciated and the facilities were excellent."

Yeovil travel to Reading Royals this Sunday hoping to get back to winning ways.

Yeovil Town Ladies team: Gemma Baker, Bobbie Wolder, Becky Webb, Helen Ash, Kayleigh Nardiello, Imogen Wyatt (captain), Nicky Payne, Charlotte Sparrow, Rachael Martin, Mariesa Dryhurst, Laura Wensley. Subs used: Lee Ann Morrs. Subs not used: Sarah Bell, Lucy Barney, Sophie Curry. Player-of-the-day: Helen Ash.