HEREFORD Pegasus Ladies goalkeeper Katie Wood proved the hero as her side defeated

Droitwich Spa on penalties in the West Midlands Regional Women's League First Division Cup first round tie following a 2-2 draw.

The Worcestershire visitors made a strong start to the proceedings and opened the scoring in the 17th minute following a swift counter-attack and shot from the edge of the penalty area that beat home custodian Wood.

Pegasus eventually levelled the scores 16 minutes later when the returning Roxy Dinescu was played through on goal before rounding Spa goalkeeper Sophie Ross to find the back of the net.

The visitors came close to re-establishing their lead three minutes before the interval when Wood turned away a well-struck drive from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts went ahead for the first time in the opening minute of the second half when Dinescu crossed from the byline and captain Emily Morgan applied a first-time finish as she arrived in the penalty area.

Droitwich Spa responded immediately in the 48th minute when they saw an effort thunder back off the crossbar with Wood beaten and the ball was smuggled to safety.

Morgan could have doubled her team's lead 14 minutes later but headed a Dinescu cross wide of the target.

The home team saw the ball hacked off the goal line from a 78th minute corner moments after having a penalty appeal turned down.

The Worcestershire almost equalised four minutes later when they broke through on goal, but Wood made an excellent save to turn the ensuing shot over the crossbar. 

Spa levelled the scores in the 98th minute after catching Pegasus on the break. The outcome of the tie would be decided by a penalty shoot-out and Wood would prevail as the hero of the afternoon with two crucial saves as Ella Bowen, Dinescu, Elle Rivers-Williams and Kaye Haggett successfully converted for the home team.