Report: Portsmouth 2-2 Bristol City.

City were held to a 2-2 draw by Portsmouth at Westleigh Park.

Goals from Jessie Gale and Rio Hardy either side of half-time were cancelled out by an own goal and a contentious penalty from Lucy Shepherd.

Fran Bentley and Mari Ward were among those restored to the starting XI after the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal prior to the international break.

Former Robins Jazz Bull and Jesse Woolley started for Pompey.

City began brightly, with Ward firing wide inside two minutes, before Robinson’s driven cross was agonisingly close to finding Lloyd-Smith, and then Jessie Gale, in the area.

The Robins took the lead when Robinson delivered a pinpoint cross in towards Gale, who headed home from close range.

The hosts drew level almost immediately when Bull’s cross was inadvertently headed past Fran Bentley by Oliwia Woś.

The game died down after a frantic start and neither side were able to create a clear cut chance for the next ten minutes after the equaliser.

Niamh Peacock floated a ball over the top for Bull to run on to, but her delivery had too much on it and went behind for a goal kick.

Robinson was again set free on the right, and this time found Lloyd-Smith on the edge of the area, but her effort was blocked.

City’s number seven was heavily involved and produced another good delivery for Lloyd-Smith, who headed just over.

Portsmouth's keeper, Jessica Gray, then pulled off a great save to deny Robinson what would have been a deserved goal.

City had another great chance as this time Lloyd-Smith raced clear, squaring it for Gale who could only bundle her shot wide, as we headed into the break with the scores level.

The Arsenal loanee was instrumental again as she won City a free-kick just outside the box, and Woś fired inches wide after being set by Syme.

Gale was forced off injured following the foul, with Vera Jones replacing her.

Bentley did well to keep the scores level again, this time standing tall to deny Shepherd.

Pompey were awarded a penalty when Woś brought down Shepherd. Bentley saved the spot-kick, but the hosts were given a second penalty for a foul on the follow up.

Shepherd sent Bentley the wrong way at the second time of asking to give the hosts the lead.

Substitute Megan Hornby forced another good save out of Bentley from range.

City were awarded a penalty of their own when Gray brought down Lloyd-Smith, and Rio Hardy fired into the corner from the spot to level the scores.

Hardy was booked not long after for a foul on the Pompey ‘keeper.

City continued to push for a winner but were unable to find it, as Hardy was shown a second yellow with seconds left on the clock.

STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Powell, Woś (Morgan 78’), Lawley, Ward, Ingle, Syme (c), Lloyd-Smith, Robinson (Farrugia 78’), Gale (Jones 56’), Hardy.

Subs not used: Brykcy, Sáez.