AFC Bournemouth women were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Portsmouth in today's FA Cup clash at Westleigh Park.

 The Cherries were bidding to make the third round proper of the competition for the first time in the club's history and would have to see off the step three side, who play in the league above, if they were to progress. 

Steve Cuss' team featured four former Blues, with Molly Clark, Katie James, Becki Bath and Jade Bradley all starting against their former club. 

Elsewhere, Lucy Cooper, who turned 16 just two months ago was handed her maiden first team start, leading the line for the visitors. 

As Pompey got the game underway, the Cherries were dealt a blow after just 90 seconds as Shannon Albury bundled home a loose ball following a deep free-kick for the hosts. 

Yet Cuss' team weren't behind for long, Cooper seizing her opportunity and slotting home past Hannah Haughton less than ten minutes later. 

Molly Clark then saw her free-kick come off a blue body inside the box, before Emma Davis' cross from the left couldn't pick out a teammate in the area. 

However, it would be Portsmouth who struck next after a corner wasn't cleared. The ball bobbled in the box and left-back Evie Gane was on hand to fire home seven minutes before the break. 

After the interval, the Dorset-based outfit came out firing as Clark's effort from range hit the crossbar and Bradley's fierce volley struck the outside of the post. 

Up the other end of the pitch, captain Maisy Smith cleared one off the line moments before the Blues had a goal disallowed for offside. 

The Cherries weren't giving up without a fight, though. James found herself in space on the right and heard Clark's call as she burst into the box, but the cross evaded everyone and went out for a throw in the other side. 

Smith later saw her headed effort from Bradley's corner go just wide of Haughton's goal, while Cooper had a great chance to level late on, her lofted shot from a tight angle going the wrong side of the post. 

Despite a string of corners in time added on, AFC Bournemouth couldn't quite find the goal they needed and exited the FA Cup at the second round proper stage.