A dramatic penalty shoot-out saw Watford Women beat AFC Wimbledon to reach the second round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.

Goalkeeper Maria O'Sullivan saved the home side's first penalty after the match had ended 0-0, and with Leanne Bell putting their second wide, successful spot kicks from Gemma Davison, Coral Haines, Anna Filbey and Jessie Gale secured a 4-2 shoot-out win.

It was no more than Watford deserved having had the best chances throughout the game and they now head into the second round, ties for which will be played on Sunday November 24.

As early as the third minute Watford hit the bar through a Filbey header and then Flo Fyfe was denied by a fine save from Wimbledon keeper Rose Kite.

Sophie McLean had a shot blocked and then Fyfe tried to set up Ellie Head in the box but a sliding tackle prevented the ball getting to her.

After Madison Perry had fired wide, home keeper Kite made another excellent save, this time taking off to tip away a rising shot from Haines.

Despite a goalless first half Watford had looked the side more likely to break through and that continued after the break when Kite moved quickly to deny Poppy Wilson.

McLean sent a shot wide and Haines put a free kick over the top as the Hornets continued to knock on the door.

Back from England duty,  Gale came off the bench with 25 minutes to go and her first involvement was to cut the ball back for McLean to hit a shot that Kite saved.

The Wimbledon keeper came to her side's rescue again with seven minutes left, blocking an effort from Gale before the follow-up was lobbed onto the roof of the net, and within 60 seconds she pulled out all the stops again to keep out another Gale shot.

The hosts had threatened very little but with only three minutes left they almost snatched victory as Emily Donovan headed a Cherelle Khassal cross wide.

In stoppage time O'Sullivan kept Watford in the cup with a superb save, and right at the death Kite was there again to hold onto Davison's free-kick.

The tie went straight to penalties and, having dominated the 90 minutes, it was a just outcome that Watford kept their nerve to reach the second round.

Watford: O'Sullivan; Filbey, Meiwald, Chandler, McLean (Rossiter 77), Georgiou, Wilson, Haines, Perry (Davison 85), Head (Hall 82), Fyfe (Gale 66). Subs: Goldsmid, Lazaro, Hind