BOSS Steve Cuss hailed Cherries’ women as they held their nerve from the penalty spot to progress to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

A goal from Molly Clark had put the Dorset club ahead in their cup tie at Moneyfields before they were pegged back to draw the game 1-1.

And under intense pressure, Cherries progressed 4-3 from the spot to book their place in the next round.

Cuss told the club website: "I knew that, with the competition, it would go straight to penalties if the game ended level.

"In the training sessions beforehand, I thought long and hard about practicing them but I don't think there's any practice that could've replicated the situation that comes up.

"When I've been in this situation before as a manager, I've always asked players to put their hands up and we had six or seven do that, so I selected the five from those.

"Fair play to those who stepped up and took them because it's a pressure situation.

"A special mention has to go to (goalkeeper) Katie Scadding. She got her hand to one, it came back off the post and it was a great save. It ultimately won us the tie."

Victory set up Cherries with a clash against Southampton Women FC at Alresford Town next weekend, in the second qualifying round.

"We're desperately keen to do well in the FA Cup,” added Cuss.

"It gives it that stature and it's nice for the players as well. You want to get that big tie and we've got that next week with Southampton Women.

"We got knocked out by them last year. They're a really good side, we know each other well, but we go there off the back of three wins so we'll be full of confidence and give it our best shot."