The progress made for women's and girls' football in Norfolk compensated for a squandered opportunity for three points as Norwich City drew with QPR at Carrow Road.

The Canaries lost further ground on table-toppers Wimbledon as they were held by the Hoops, with promotion now out of their hands in the Women's National League Division One South-East.

Nearly 6,000 fans attended their second showpiece fixture of the season, however, with City pleased by the milestone in their bid to inspire female footballers in their area.

"The most amazing part of it all is seeing how happy the children are to be there," said midfielder Rachel Lawrence, who made it 1-1 with a sublime 40-yard lob. "Seeing the parents take them down and support, knowing how big this is for women's football and for Norwich.

"It's all about inspiring the next generation, that was one of the things we said. We had quotes up in the changing room, and one of them was about doing it for our younger selves. You see that in the people you're playing in front of after.

"I'd like to think we gave them a performance that will inspire that generation. There was lots of goals, and that what they want to see, isn't it?

"Hopefully they were all just excited by it and want to play."

Interim head coach Scott Emmerson concurred, lauding the impact his charges can have on the next generation and acknowledging the step forward the game was.

"I've just been around at the end today, trying to thank and do as many fist bumps as possible to the children who have come out to support us," he said.

"This team has the responsibility to be the role models to then get those players who are sitting currently in the stands to actually be the next ones to be out on this pitch and play for this fantastic club."