Bay went out of the Kent FA Women's Cup to Dartford at the quarter final stage courtesy of a freak ricochet in the second minute writes Peter Guise. Jasmin Connolly raced from her goal to clear only to see her forceful kick cannon back off a Dartford forward. It gave the North Kent side from the division above a lead they would hang on to for the rest of the match.

For the remaining eighty eight minutes the two sides exchanged thrusts in an enthralling cup tie that belied the difference in league status.

In the second 45 Bay dominated. Kate Foster saw her free kick pushed round the bottom of her left hand upright by Darts 'keeper Jade Carlton. Abigail Duff lifted the ball over the bar perhaps having less time than she thought. Sophie Gifford was inches away from levelling.

In the end it was Dartford who were hanging on as the seconds ticked away.

Manager Howard Pearce said, "We can hold our heads up with that performance against a team a division above us. An early freak goal beat us and we had some good chances. Everyone did what I asked of them. No disgrace".

Herne Bay: Jasmin Connolly, Lucy Page, Saraya Phillips, Abigail Duff, Jemma Barton, Kate Foster, Megan Pearce, Alice Phillips (Chloe Woolaway 46), Sophie Gifford, Lillian Tucker.

Sub not used: Katie Reeves

Player of the Match: Kate Foster

The Keith Davy Photo: Sophie Gifford is thwarted by Jade Charlton in the Dartford goal