Norwich City's Women have made significant strides in the last year - reaching the third round of the FA Cup is the latest milestone hit by a group that is on a mission to achieve.
The Canaries were trailing this contest until the final two minutes of normal time, when Megan Todd's dramatic spot-kick double saw them record victory against Sutton Coldfield at the Nest.
Norwich are enjoying a much-improved league campaign after completing a great escape last season and sit just three points behind table toppers Hashtag United.
Howes' side beat Enfield Town 2-0 in the first round of the competition earlier this month.
Sutton Coldfield play in the West Midlands Regional Women's Football League, one level below the Canaries, and sit top having won five of their opening six league matches so far this season.
This fixture represented the first time in their history that they made the second round of the competition, courtesy of a historic victory over Leafield Athletic.
Sutton were causing Norwich constant problems on the counter and thought they'd taken the lead when a deep free-kick was bundled into the net after the Canaries switched off at the back. Fortunately, the offside flag cut short celebrations.
Less than a minute later, City's backline switched off again - allowing space for Brittany Civil to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net for the opening goal.
Individual errors in possession were creating counter-attacking opportunities for Sutton - much to the frustration of Shaun Howes and his coaching team.
Despite finishing the half in greater control of the contest, their attacking work lacked cohesion and they struggled to work Charlotte McElroy in Sutton's goal.
The opening minutes of the second period followed a similar pattern, with Norwich enjoying possession but Sutton looking more dangerous on the counter.
Norwich's momentum built steadily as the half wore on, with great endeavour from Natasha Snelling restoring parity.
City's striker latched onto a through ball before winning the foot race to cutely lob the ball over McElroy and into the net.
The visitors restored the lead after Smith conceded a free kick in the centre of the pitch. Norwich failed to clear the deep ball before the ball was scrambled into the net from close range.
Snelling had a glorious chance to equalise minutes later - but was unable to keep her looping effort under the bar after beating McElroy and Forbes to the ball. City's appeals for a penalty were dismissed by the referee.
Eventually, with the game drawing to a close, City were awarded a penalty.
Snelling's run was perfectly picked out. Charlotte Cresswell did well enough to recover but used her arm to block the following cross.
Todd took responsibility, displaying complete confidence in the dying embers of the contest to send McElroy the wrong way and equalise, much to the delight of the support at the Nest.
Deep into stoppage time, with the game slipping towards extra time, Larkins was pushed in the box from a free kick - with City awarded another penalty.
There was an outpouring of celebration once the whistle blew. Then came an agonising few seconds of trepidation and tension before the relief as the ball was caught by the net.
Same taker, same result as Todd smashed the spot kick home to book the Canaries' place in the third round of the competition - bagging £8,000 in prize money in the process.
Increasing attendances, integration into the full club and talented players who are embracing the opportunity to represent the team they adore - it's hard to shift the feeling that City's women are on the up.
Young fans stand wide-eyed in awe, inspired by an approachable, personable and talented group of players who play with spirit, character and a steely determination.
It hasn't always been like this. Last season, there was a frustration at the direction of travel and mitigating circumstances made on-pitch progress difficult.
The shackles have been released - this City side has the same coach and a lot of the same players, yet the outcome of this season is significantly different.
City's goalscorers Todd and Snelling were on the books last season - yet they are revitalised in this campaign. Howes' coaching is yielding much-improved results.
New recruits like Katie Knights have added a composure and a new level of competition. Flo Allen's appointment behind the scenes has revigorated the efforts off the pitch. The same hard-working volunteers are working tirelessly to support their efforts.
This is just the start - everybody understands that, but it does feel like progress. This win came in front of their second-highest crowd of the campaign, there is an inclusivity and personality that makes the squad extremely likeable.
Some will say there isn't an appetite for the women's game. That is rubbish. You only needed to see the celebrations that greeted Todd's 94th-minute winner to know that is false.
There is more to come but there is a real optimism that is embracing the women's team at present.
Now the dream is that an FA Cup run will help raise the profile and possibly even open the Carrow Road gates - that would provide somewhat of a milestone moment for the women's game in Norfolk.
These girls, who have had to endure so much and yet are beginning to shine, deserve their day in the sun. It may well be through the FA Cup that it arrives.
Norwich City: Williams; Larkins (C), Flye, Johnston, Parker; Knights, Smith, Symonds; Stanley, Todd; Snelling. SUBS: Ward, George, Harper, Gooding, Williams, Gambell
Sutton Coldfield: McElroy, Jones, Cresswell, Graham, Forbes, Atkin, Handy, Civil, Rothery, Deakin, Finn. SUBS: Jones, Doocey, Hyland, Worth, C Hopwood, P Hopwood, Murphy
Attendance: 343
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