PNE's Premier League Cup dream is over for this year but the battlers can take great heart from their efforts after giving Doncaster a difficult time of things in the semi final at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Ultimately, PNE's departure from the competition came following early goals in each half of the game. The victory sees the Belles progress to the February final to face Arsenal LFC; themselves 4-0 winners away at Chelsea.

Preston got off to the worst possible start, two goals down within the opening ten minutes. The first saw Belles Rachel Williams head home with Emily Heckler scoring the second with a strike from outside the box.

On 12 minutes the lead could have been extended further, a ball over the top beating the Preston backline but with Danielle Gibbons in the Preston goal doing sufficient to force Suzanne Davies into shooting wide.

Davies then headed wide with Gibbons then gathering a Williams shot. Doncaster continued to pressure the Preston goal with Gibbons saving from Heckler and Davies shooting over.

Seven minutes from the break, however, the visitors got their goal of the game, a Mel Martin free kick headed home by Anisha Bateman past Belles keeper Nicola Hobbs. The last significant action of the half saw Heckler shoot wide leaving the score 2-1 at the interval.

Into the second half, Preston had the first opportunity through good link up play between Martin and Gemma Watson which created the room for Laura Walker to cross, but her delivery had just too much pace for any of the Preston attack and was safely gathered by Hobbs. Cruelly, the ball then played downfield hit a Preston midfielder with Davies running on to it and slotting past Gibbons to give the home side a 3-1 advantage.

North End continued to try to get back into the game with Watson working hard to retain the ball and finding Louise Cafferkey who was called offside. Williams for the Belles then shot on target but Gibbons gathered.

Ten minutes into the second half, North End manager Chris Stammers replaced Martin and Cafferkey with Hannah Bailey and Sam Cadwallader to play a 4-4-2 formation in search of goals to keep them in the game. Belles then brought on Natasha Hughes with Precious Hamilton making way. Watson for Preston then saw her shot cleared for a corner with the Belles then making their second substitution; Emma Johnson replacing Vikki Stevens.

On 75 minutes Stammers made his final change, the hard working Watson being replaced by Linny Craig. Goal scorer Heckler then made way for Tanya Rich.

Gibbons gathered a shot from Johnson with ten minutes to play and then two minutes later pulled off a remarkable save when one-on-one with Davies.

Seven minutes from time, an Alison Taberner free kick was headed goal bound but gathered by Hobbs. Bailey then worked hard to keep the ball in play but unfortunately the Lilywhites were unable to capitalise on the subsequent ball played into the box.

Preston's spell of possession continued with Clare Utley clearing a Bailey shot and Bateman's effort being cleared for a corner but despite their efforts they were unable to find a way past the Belles keeper. With the referee blowing her whistle a jubilant Belles side progressed to the final, the crowd of 250 having enjoyed a competitive and entertaining game.

Preston manager Chris Stammers admitted there was no shame in defeat, revealing: 

"I am proud of the girls. The goal after half time killed the game for us.

"I didn't think we looked out of place against Premiership opposition and I would like to thank all those who have travelled to the game to support us."

Doncaster Rovers Belles: Nicola Hobbs, Chelsea Weston, Vanessa Leat, Rachel Williams, Clare Utley, Amy Turner, Emily Heckler, Vicky Exley (Captain), Suzanne Davies, Vikki Stevens, Precious Hamilton. Subs: Natasha Hughes, Emma Johnson, Tanya Rich, Natalie Shaw, Naomi Chadwick.

PNE: Danielle Gibbons, Alison Taberner, Sarah Jones, Louise Belcher, Vikki Eastwood, Louise Cafferkey, Sarah Berry (Captain), Anisha Bateman, Mel Martin, Laura Walker, Gemma Watson. Subs: Sam Cadwallader, Hannah Bailey, Mel Bartley, Linny Craig, Cathy Jones.

Report by Julie Jones. Photo by Simon Rudkin.