BURY Ladies and Girls showed just how far they have come over the past couple of years with a 6-0 defeat at Blackpool Wren Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Lancashire County Cup.

Opposition manager David Butler admitted the visitors deserved better after conceding three goals in each half and failing to get on the scoresheet.

But when put into context, the result against a side two tiers above Bury in Northern Division One of the FA Women's Premier League showed real progress, considering they lost 26-1 when they met two season ago.

Since then, Bury have turned around their results in Division One of the North West Women's Regional League and are currently three points clear at the top.

After starting the season with six straight league wins, they went into their cup quarter-final in fine form and certainly did not disgrace themselves.

"The result did not reflect how well Bury played," said Blackpool boss Butler.

"They put in a great effort and worked right through the 90 minutes."

Blackpool, who are mid-table in WPL Northern Division One, showed great team cohesion and were deserved victors but were made to work hard for their win.

Bury centre-back Jordanna Holgate ensured Blackpool's twin strikeforce were starved of chances to score, using her fitness and speed to keep them well in check.

Holgate marshalled the defence well to make sure they kept their shape, reducing the home team to shots from distance, proving that hard work on the training ground has paid off.

Their only mistake was, unfortunately punished by a goal, while Blackpool's other two in the opening half came from good play by the home side.

Bury were playing with the slope after the break and created a number of decent chances, but invariably their attackers were closed down before they could get a shot off.

Kaitt Saunderson covered plenty of ground in holding midfield and completed an amazing saving double tackle in the second half.

Bury keeper Tess Duxbury was also having a good game, and while she let in another three goals after the break, one a sumptuous, curling free kick over the wall, she made a string of fine saves to keep the score down.

Paul Iannacone's side continue on the cup trail on Sunday when they travel to Preston North End Ladies in the Argyle Sports Cup on Sunday, kick off 2pm.