BIRMINGHAM City Ladies have slipped into the bottom two of the FA Women's Premier League National Division.

After falling behind because of international commitments, Blues were ordered to play their Premier League Cup first round tie at Southern Division underdogs Wimbledon and came away with a 4-0 win.

Katy Ward, Laura Bassett, Maz Ballard and Jodie McGuckin were on the scoresheet as the Redditch-based club secured a second round trip to fellow National Division strugglers Brighton.

But former bottom club Everton took advantage of Blues' cup commitments to beat Tranmere 3-2 and climb above their rivals.

The damage was limited with Brighton losing 2-1 to Southampton Saints on Sunday.

The latest round of results leaves Birmingham in the second relegation spot but with three games in hand on Everton and three points ahead of pointless Brighton.

The immediate outlook appears gloomy for the Valley Stadium side with matches against the two giants of the women's game in the space of four days. First up Marcus Bignot's charges visit Fulham, the only fully professional side in the league and runaway title favourites at Woking on Sunday (ko 2pm).

And in a daunting double whammy Blues entertain Vic Akers' reigning champions and semi professionals Arsenal next Wednesday (ko 7.45pm).

Arsenal, who are expected to be Fulham's strongest challengers this season are blazing a trail in their second season in the UEFA Cup and have already beaten Birmingham 5-0 at home this season.

The club are likely to be without livewire winger Eni Aluko for the League Cup trip to Brighton because the 15-year-old has been called up for England under 17s for a friendly in France.

Clubmate Karen Carney, a regular for Blues reserves, has also been called up and is hoping for her first cap.

The match is on Friday, October 25 and there is a slim chance the duo will be available two days later.

And the club are bracing themselves for more postponed matches in mid April when England under 19s play the second phase of their qualifying for the 2003 European Championships.

The club had six representatives in a tournament in Bulgaria.