Rovers Ladies lifted the FA Women’s Premier League Cup after coming from a goal behind to beat Leicester City.

A Lynda Shepherd penalty and second half strikes from Ellie Cook and Saffron Jordan proved decisive as Rovers ran out 3-1 winners at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium.

Coach Scott MacNeill was full of praise for their character as they overcame a difficult opening to ensure the win.

He said: “We finished the first half strongly.

“We didn’t perform in the first 20 minutes but the girls worked it out but they didn’t take on board what we’d said at the start of the game.

“Leicester were on top for 25 minutes but there’s one thing you have always got with this group and that’s character and resilience.

“We didn’t want the half-time whistle, we equalised with the penalty and then kicked on from there.

“There were moments for Leicester but I thought we deserved it and I am so proud of all the staff and the players.”

Leicester were the brighter of the two sides in the early stages and led in the 14th minute.

They had chances to extend their lead before Rovers got themselves level just after the half hour mark. Jordan was pushed in the box allowing Shepherd the chance to equalise from 12 yards.

She made no mistake, finding the bottom corner, and Rovers finished the first half strongly, seeing a goal ruled out for offside.

But it took until 16 minutes from time for Rovers to get their noses in front, Ellie Cook rising highest to plant an excellent header in the far corner.

And Jordan came up with the third in the dying seconds to wrap up proceedings.

Captain Shepherd said: “The girls dug deep in the second half and we got our rewards.

“The first half we had a goal disallowed, hit the bar, but second half we came out and got the goals.

“Saffron deserved her goal at the end, it was the icing on the cake.”

Goalkeeper Danielle Hill added: “For me I have every faith in our team coming together and I think that character showed.

“The first 20 minutes we were nervy, it is a big occasion, but we got a foothold in the game and then our character showed through.”