Beard rues inaccuracy in front of goal.

🎥  Beard reacts to United defeat

For large parts Bristol City were in control of proceedings at Twerton Park going close on three occasions in the opening 20 minutes through Kiera Skeels, Ebony Salmon and a diving header from Molly Pike.

Manchester United didn’t cause Sophie Baggaley too much trouble in the City net, however they did manage to grab the match winner in the 77^th minute as Christen Press’ cross was deflected into the net off the stomach of Jane Ross.

Speaking to Robins TV Beard said: “I’m devastated for the girls, but ultimately you need to take the chances that you create.

“We’ve had three really good chances in the first half, two in the second half and I’ve spoken to Rossy [Jane Ross] and she’s said it has come off her stomach, so that sums up our luck today really in front of goal.

“I thought we were excellent. We dominated the first half – in the second half they put us under pressure as we were a bit too deep. I didn’t feel threatened in the game at all, and it was one bit of magic, I think it was Christen Press who got down to the by line and it’s gone in off the post from Rossy.

He continued: “Sometimes when your luck is down, your luck is down but we can take a lot of positives and confidence from this performance. Nothing would have changed if we would have got a point, in terms of what outcome is needed next week. We need to go to Brighton and find a way of getting three points.

“I thought we were consistent today it was just putting the ball in the back of the net, which was our achillies heel.

“You know with this group of players that they’re not going to leave anything on the pitch and we know we have to go to Brighton and win, and hope other results go our way."