FULHAM lifted the FA Women's League Cup yesterday as more than 2,000 fans at the County Ground illustrated why football is now the most popular sport in the land among females.

The Sky Sports cameras were in Wiltshire as viewers at home and the 2,220-strong Swindon crowd watched the reigning Premier League champions beat old rivals Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout thanks to Kim Jerray-Silver's decisive spot-kick.

The technically sound but nerve-ridden showpiece between the two big guns of the women's soccer scene finished 1-1, with both goals coming in the final two minutes of normal time.

Fulham's Rachel Yankey thought she had won her side the cup when she fired the favourites ahead in the 89th minute.

The livewire forward dribbled into the Arsenal box and was initially denied by outstanding Gunners keeper Emma Byrne.

However, Yankey managed to hook the rebound into an unguarded net and the Cottagers looked on course to lift the League Cup for the second year running.

But Arsenal had other ideas and Ciara Grant forced extra time with seconds left to play.

Sian Williams' raking left-wing cross found Grant completely unmarked and the striker's volley squirmed in through the hands of Astrid Johannessen.

It was Arsenal's first shot on target.

In contrast, Republic of Ireland custodian Byrne produced continued heroics to block Rachel McArthur, and deny Yankey on three separate occasions with a series of superb stops. England International Yankey was again frustrated in extra time with a low drive that whistled past the post, and Johannessen was given some work to do when Arsenal skipper Jayne Ludlow ran unchallenged for 50 yards and shot into the agile Norwweigan's arms.

Penalties were an inevitability as the additional period fizzled out and full-time Fulham the only professional side in the country failed to make the most of their superior fitness levels.

Byrne seemed set to make herself the shootout heroine, saving brilliantly from Katrine Pedersen, Yankey and Rachel Unitt as Fulham failed with three of their five attempts. But Johannessen was equal to efforts from Julie Fletcher and Kirsty Pealling.

Williams Arsenal's senior player had the chance to win the cup with the Gunners' fifth penalty but she hit the post.

Johannessen then saved from Ellen Maggs in sudden death and Jerray-Silver smashed in the decisive kick to keep Fulham on track for the treble.

The Cottagers currently lead the Premier League and will meet Charlton Athletic in the women's FA Cup Final at Selhurst Park next month.