BATTLING Altrincham Ladies exited the Cheshire County Women’s FA Cup after a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.

The Birkenhead side currently occupy bottom slot in the Premier League Northern Division One – two leagues above Alty – but the ladies gave a good account of themselves in an even first half.

It started promisingly for Altrincham when Laura Kelly was put clear but with only the goalkeeper to beat, she steered her effort wide.

However, following some pressure, Alty did edge ahead with 12 minutes on the clock.

Kelly passed inside from the right for Jess Hartopp to tuck the ball home.

Alty’s goalkeeper Lizzie Brereton pulled off two impressive saves, however, their advantage only lasted five minutes. Tranmere played a long ball to Candice Nellist who beat the offside trap to smash her in off the far post to level the scores.

The Birkenhead side then took the lead for the first time two minutes later, Lindsey Smith directing home a far-post header from a corner.

Altrincham were by no means overawed and could have equalised before half time, Kate Bryan’s strike striking the bar.

After the break, Laura Dodds’ header was diverted wide for a corner and from the resulting set-piece, Kyeshia Brown’s header was just off target.

After that Tranmere’s experience in plying their trade in a higher league started to show with Nellist adding a third.

Hartopp had a chance to pull a goal back, steering an effort across goal and wide.

However, Heather Scheuber netted the hosts' fourth in the closing stages.

Megan Wright drove a shot straight at the Tranmere goalkeeper before full time but it was the Birkenhead side that progressed through to the next round.