They may have been knocked out of the FA Cup, but both players and management alike were more than satisfied with Ipswich Town Ladies’ 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa at Ipswich Wanderers.

The Premier League team scored in either half on Sunday as the Suffolk side’s Cup dream came to an end, following wins over Wimbledon and Cambridge in the earlier rounds.

“The result is a bit disappointing but we did go into the game as underdogs,” said manager, Ollie Drake, whose team play a step below Villa in the South East Combination.

“In a way we expected the result but the attitude, work-rate and commitment from the players could not be faulted and on a different day, we could have got a result.

“We missed a couple of chances when we were 1-0 down, so could have easily have gone ahead, and they only scored their second goal after we sacrificed a defender at the end. I would have rather have lost by two or three and had a go, than not.

“But the girls came into the dressing room quite happy after the game and we more than competed against a Premier League team.”

Ipswich are currently fourth in their division and face bitter East Anglia rivals Norwich City, away from home, a week on Wednesday.

The earlier between the two teams, at Ipswich Wanderers, finished in favour of the hosts, 3-0 and Drake would be delighted with a repeat performance.

“We have got a couple of big games coming up, against Arlesley (at Rushmere Sports Club) on Sunday which is a winable game, then we go to play Norwich.

“Two games in four days will be tough and I might mix it up a bit in terms of selection. Hopefully we can get two wins out of two as it is always nice to get one over on Norwich.”