Reading's Women lost 1-0 away at Cardiff last weekend in a defeat which saw them fall off the title-chasing pace.

Against a well-organised top half team, the trip down the M4 was always going to be a difficult one, but Frank Rodriguez's side turned the Bluebirds over with a last minute winner at home so hopes were high as the girls headed for Wales.

But Reading started the game sloppily. Making unforced errors right across the pitch, Cardiff took charge but couldn't break through before the break.

And the Royals began the second half much brighter and with a bit of fire in their bellies.

But against the run of play Cardiff took the lead, pouncing on a weak back pass from young Harriett Scott for their striker to skip round keeper Grace Moloney and pass into an open net.

The Royals woke up and ground out a couple of good opportunities - Natasha Caswell hit the post and Danielle Puddefoot forced Cardiff's keeper into a very goo one-on-one save.

But the game ended 1-0 to the hosts and Reading left with nothing.

"It was probably our worst first half performance of the campaign," Director of Women's Football Lee Herron said.

"It didn't look like we were going to get anything from the game and that proved the case. We didn't deserve it after a poor performance."

The ladies bounced back in style though - thrashing Wycombe in the semi-finals of the County Cup to reach the cup final of a competition they have never won before.