BURY Ladies and Girls upset the odds to make it into the semi-finals of the Argyle Sports Cup following a penalty shootout victory at Merseyrail Bootle.

The hosts, who are favourites for the Division One South title in the North West Women's Regional League, were unbeaten going into the last-eight tie.

And with home advantage the Liverpool club were expected to progress.

But after the match finished 1-1 after full time and 2-2 after extra time, Bury keeper Tess Duxbury came into her own, saving a Bootle spot-kick as the visitors won 5-4 on penalties.

The home side controlled possession in the opening half and looked to be cruising after going into the break 1-0 up.

But some calming words from coach Paul Iannaccone at half time did the trick.

Bury went on t dominate proceedings in the second half and scored a good goal through Hulda Sigurðardóttir, who ran on to a through pass from Leah Tibbot before firing the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors got their noses in front a minute into extra time when Kristeen Ferenczi connected perfectly with an overhead kick that rocketed into net.

It looked like they would hold out for a deserved victory before disaster struck in the final minute of extra time.

Bootle won a disputed free kick and pumped ball into the six-yard box. Duxbury made a smart save but was unable to hold on to the shot and as the home players piled in to seize on the rebound both the Bury keeper and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

The visitors could easily have crumbled in the shootout, but after Duxbury saved Bootle's second penalty and Bury's Lucy Golding, Ferenczi, Sigurðardóttir and Sammy Smith converted their first four it was left to an emotional Kaitt Saunderson to stroke home the match-winning spot kick.

Louisa Ellison, team spokesman, said: "When Kaitt walked up for her penalty, it was silent. But as the ball hit the back of the net there were screams and the whole team charged towards her in celebration.

"Kaitt was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t help but be brought to tears.

"Everyone connected with the team can be very proud of themselves.

"It was a game that we just treated as a bonus and did not put any pressure on ourselves to win because Bootle went into the game undefeated.

"So to come through it and make the semi-finals, it turned into a monumental day."

Bury return to league action in Division One North on Sunday, March 5 at home to Workington Reds, kick off 2pm.