THE Argyle Ladies were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle at the hands of Havant & Waterlooville, rivals of old from the Combination League.
Following early exchanges, Argyle were given an early warning from a Havant corner that almost crept in at the near post.
The ball was cleared and Argyle had a corner of their own a couple of minutes later but it came to nothing.
The Pilgrims went a goal behind on fifteen minutes when they allowed Havant a free header at the near post from a corner.
Things could have got worse just three minutes later when Lauren Cheshire sent her angled drive the wrong side of a post when well placed.
Argyle had a great chance to get on level terms in the 21st minute when Becca Rose played a neat pass through the Havant defence to set Tash Knapman clear down the left wing.
The striker took the ball to the by line before sending over a cross to the unmarked Rose, but her shot went straight at the keeper from eight yards.
Two minutes alter, Argyle were dealt a further blow when influential midfielder Leah Brooks had to leave the field with a leg injury, to be replaced by Bow Jackson.
The latter stages of the first half were somewhat scrappy, with Havant having the best of the exchanges.
Just before the half-time whistle, Havant increased their lead when Cheshire ,completely unmarked in a central position burst into the box.
'Keeper Nicky Lipscombe dashed out and got a block on the shot , but the ball broke to the side and Cheshire slotted the ball home before Nicky could recover her ground.
Argyle began to get their game going in the second-half, but were unable to create a good chance until just after the hour mark.
Knapman burst into the box but her firm shot was well saved, low to her right, by the home keeper.
Argyle were now having their best spell of the game, pushing the home side back to great effect.
They finally got their reward 18 minutes from time when Natalie Volpini's pin point cross found the head of Knapman to score at the far post.
The Pilgrims joy was short lived, however, as Havant restored their two goal advantage within two minutes.
Argyle continued to press as the clock wound down and were rewarded in the 88th min when Katie Middleton fired home from twelve yards after the Havant defence failed to clear.
With the score at 3-2, the closing minutes were frantic as Argyle went after an equaliser.
They were denied a penalty when Knapman was brought down in the box but the referee was unimpressed by the visitors appeals.
The tie was within their capabilities, but a poor all round first-half and defensive frailties proved to be their downfall.
