The Gunners claimed a famous league and cup double at the City Ground, just as they did in 2006 when they saw off their Yorkshire rivals 5-0 in the final at Millwall.

This time around, the margin of victory wasn't quite as high, but still emphatic as Vic Ayers' all-conquering Londoners reigned supreme, with Leeds left to contemplate a third successive reverse in a final – with the side still to lift a major honour.

Leeds held the Gunners, who recently lifted the league title for the fifth successive season, to a 0-0 interval scoreline, largely thanks to the heroics of keeper Carly Telford.

But Arsenal cranked up the gas on the restart and plundered four goals – including three in whirlwind six-minute spell.

Leeds' sole reply arrived courtesy of Jessica Clarke as the favourites claimed a ninth cup success.

Passmoor said: "Losing is awful. But we've got to bounce back, look forward to rest of the season and next year come back to this event. We'll be back.

"We've shown in patches we can play and as a young developing team, the future's bright.

"On the day, the best team won, congratulations to Arsenal," said Passmoor, pictured right.

"However at half-time – after facing a barrage – we really thought that we could come through it and maybe nick the game."

"Carly was instrumental in the first half in holding it at 0-0. So you do think 'we might nick this'.

"But the excellence that Arsenal have all over the pitch – just for that six or seven minutes to take the three goals – put the advantage over to them."

Player-of-the-match Telford said: "I'm happy to be named player-of-the-match, but I'd rather have had a winners' medal around my neck.

"Everyone's gutted in there. We think we could have won. But the players are young and we know that there'll be occasions when we do come out winners.

"We wanted to keep a clean sheet until half-time to give ourselves a chance.

"But Arsenal have the players who can turn it on and we couldn't cope with that, unfortunately."

Praising Leeds' efforts, Arsenal goalscorer Kelly Smith added: "They are a young team, developing all the time and if they can stay together they are a team to watch.

"It's good for the women's game that we've got more competition and all credit to Leeds."