IT was penalty heartbreak for the second time this season for Worcester City Women on Sunday as Shrewsbury Town Women won the League Cup final.

Having already lost the Senior Cup Final to Kidderminster Harriers Women from the spot, this latest defeat delivers another cruel blow to Matt Lock's side.

"It was a really closely fought contest. Shrewsbury are a great club and a good team, they do things the right way so it's definitely one of the games we want to be involved in," said the boss.

"But it's never nice to lose on penalties but two and half weeks ago we were celebrating because we won a penalty shootout (semi-final win over Kidderminster), so we know the fine margins involved in this game. 

"There's no finger-pointing. we will continue to do what we do and improve on that. I thought we performed well in the game for at least 60% once we had got into our stride.

"We always want to win trophies but if we look at where we were at at the beginning of the season to where we are now, it's really impressive and that's down to the club, volunteers and everyone else behind the scenes.

"I could not be more proud of these girls and this club."

As is often the case in cup finals, both sides made tentative starts to the game and the first-half had limited chances on display.

But two goals inside 60 seconds after the half-time break brought the game to life. 

First, Libby Veitch's effort from the edge of the box found the bottom corner to give Shrewsbury the lead. But it lasted all of 60 seconds as City hit back when Olivia Mitcham equalised. 

Worcester News: BACK LEVEL: Worcester City's Olivia Mitcham equalises BACK LEVEL: Worcester City's Olivia Mitcham equalises (Image: Worcester City Women FC)

Neither side could find a winner before the full-time whistle and so, the game would be decided from the spot where Phoebe Carter made two saves for Shrewsbury to win them the title.