CHLOE Gilroy was a super sub for Cherries’ women side as they came from behind to defeat Swindon Town 2-1 and reach the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

Cherries had trailed at the break following Annie Colston’s converted penalty for the hosts, before Gemma McGuinness restored parity in the second period.

After huffing and puffing for a winner, substitute Gilroy punished a mistake at the back to win the game deep into stoppage time.

The opening half-hour saw both teams produce some opportunities, but nothing that truly troubled either keeper.

Swindon would find an opener 10 minutes before the half-time whistle, however.

Grace Purnell had advanced from the Swindon defence to burst in the Cherries area, only to be brought down for a penalty.

Colston placed the ball down before converting past Daniela Kosinska in the Cherries’ goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Shortly after the restart Cherries went agonisingly close to an equaliser, McGuinness striking the foot of the post before the rebound was cleared on the goal line.

The woodwork of the Swindon goal would be struck again.

Veteran Helen Bleazard smacked the crossbar with a venomous effort, a 25-yard free kick powered towards goal.

But soon Cherries’ efforts would be rewarded with a goal, McGuinness finding enough space to get a shot off and equalise with 14 minutes to go.

That proved more than enough time for Steve Cuss’s side to find a winner.

Gilroy still had work to do after obtaining the ball in the Swindon area, her half-volley beating keeper Emily McGrogan and sending Cherries to the third round for the first time in their history.

Cherries earned £8,000 for advancing to the next round, with Swindon pocketing £2,000.

The draw for the third round will be at 3pm on Monday, November 27.

Sides from the second tier of the women’s game enter the tournament at the third-round stage.

Prize money available to sides competing in the third round of the competition has nearly quadrupled from last season.

Winning sides will receive £35,000, whilst losing teams will still earn £9,000. Last term victorious clubs earnt £10,000, with defeated sides awarded £2,500.

Cherries are next in action when they host Exeter City in a title clash at Long Lane on Sunday, December 3 (2pm).

Both sides enjoy 100 per cent records in the National League Division One South West, with Cherries currently sitting top thanks to playing one game more than the Grecians.

Cherries: Kosinska; Jones, A Treweek, Bleazard, Venditto; McGuinness, Hillier, James, Buckingham, Barron-Clark; Cooper.

Subs made: Smith, Gladwell, Gilroy.

Unused sub: Scadding (g/k).

Swindon: McGrogan, Viveash, Graham (Strippel, 65), Randall, Jarvis (Hull, 76), MacDonald, Colston, Diaz-Butcher, Purnell (Haynes, 45+8), Beck-Esson, Clifford.

Unused subs: Greenslade, Evans, Mugford, Haines.