A first half header from Mai Moncaster saw the Belles edged out in a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest Ladies in the FA WNL Plate at Oxford Street.
Andy Butler made two changes from the game against Boldmere St Michael's the previous week. Tily Fantom and Nadia Khan made way for Niamh Doody and Phoebe Sneddon.
The visitors dominated the early possession, but it took them 18 minutes to force a save from Ellie Sharpe. Naomi Powell’s deflected shot off Jess Andrew and was well stopped.
The Belles’s counter-attack was key in the first half and it almost worked, Lindsey Tugby threaded a lovely ball to Jasmine Saxton who out-strengthened the defender but her shot went just wide.
Forest got their noses in front seven minutes before half-time. Georgia Hewitt’s cross looped over the Belles defence finding the run of Moncaster, whose looping header beat Sharpe.
The introduction of Lily Harrison and Nadia Khan proved to be inspired after the restart for Andy Butler.
Khan almost brought the Belles level; a cross by Sophie Bell ricochet in the box eventually finding Khan who blazed just over.
After that came a frantic 60 seconds, Forest having possession Rachel Brown played a ball to Sophia Bonser, her shot beat Sharpe in the goal but the crossbar came to the rescue.
Belles were able to counter, Khan played a cute ball to Harrison down the left-hand side, her low driven cross was close to be turned in by substitute Jess price.
The Belles now turn their attention to the FA Cup first round match against Stoke City Women next Sunday.