SAINTS Women's head coach Marieanne Spacey-Cale could not hide her pride as her players "smashed the pressure" in a valiant showing against giants Arsenal. 

A record crowd of 13,438 at St Mary's Saints concede a last-gasp heartbreaker against the Gunners in the Continental Cup.

Championship outfit Saints took the lead in the 55th minute when summer signing Molly Pike produced a fine finish over Sabrina D'Angelo.

Arsenal equalised almost immediately as Frida Maanum fired in and Saints were undone once more in added time.

Amanda Ilestedt rose highest to head in from a corner to make it 2-1 and give the Women's Super League Gunners all three points in Group D.

Speaking after the match, Spacey-Cale said: "I thought we absolutely smashed the pressure today and every player has shown what we are capable of.

"We wanted to deal with the pressure and now we know we can lift our performance when we need to will be so big for the rest of the league season.

"To come out against one of Europe's best teams and dominate the game for periods, knowing they will take chances when they come up, makes me super proud. 

"Hopefully, the supporters will have seen something that will keep them coming back in those numbers and keep cheering us on."

She added: "You have to celebrate and enjoy the moments as they happen but reflect and be calm again for the rest of the game.

"When they equalised, we thought 'What could happen here now?'. But the girls stuck with it, they played with freedom and it was like there was no weight on their shoulders.

"We sat down a little bit disappointed with the result and losing 2-1, but happy with the outcome and what we worked out dealing with the pressure. 

"I am pleased the girls stuck to what we were doing, we really concentrated on us tonight, and full credit to the players."