Notts County boss Rick Passmoor believes there is plenty of room for improvement after his side downed Coventry City in The FA Women’s Cup Fifth Round.
Dunia Susi struck either side of half-time – before Karen Clough grabbed a consolation – as County look to their FA WSL season opener against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Passmoor said: "Coventry were well organised and had good form coming into the match.
Notts County 2-1 Coventry
The FA Women's Cup
Fifth Round
Sunday 13 April
"We made hard work of it and showed that we are not quite there yet, but the main thing was to get through to the next round.
"I think the occasion got to some of the players and there were some nerves out there.
"The players need to learn from this and to play games at a higher tempo.
"We have to improve and we will get better. The Arsenal game is going to be a wonderful occasion for this club and a great advert for women’s football."
Susi tested Coventry goalkeeper Susan Wood on 10 minutes while Hayley Ladd cleared a dangerous through ball as County started brightest.
A dominant County gained the upper hand soon after when Susi brilliantly burst past three City defenders before coolly firing past Wood from ten yards.
Katie Hoyle's long-range effort was palmed to safety by the diving Wood in the first chance after the break as County looked to double their lead.
And Coventry had a major let off on the hour mark after Susi's goalbound effort was headed out for a corner after City had failed to clear their lines.
Susi bagged her second of the game to seal the win on 76 minutes after excellent link-up play with Hoyle carved the visitors open.
Plucky City then bagged a consolation goal in added time when substitute Clough slotted home.
Coventry manager Craig Nicholls said: "We had a game plan and worked very hard for 90 minutes.
"We knew it was going to be tough and that we would be under the cosh but we stuck to our plan.
"To come here and only lose 2-1 is a great effort. We are still challenging on two fronts and we have to build on this performance.
"Games like this are a learning curve, especially movement off the ball and fitness levels, which we do not have as we do not train as often.
"Getting the goal at the end was a great reward. I am very proud."
