Match report: Sunderland 4-3 Bristol City.

City tasted defeat in an action-packed 4-3 defeat at Sunderland.

After falling behind early on, Steve Kirby's side fought back to take a half-time lead through Mari Ward and Ffion Morgan, but three Sunderland goals within eight minutes of the restart left the Robins with a mountain to climb.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith did find the net with 20 minutes to spare, but it wasn't enough to take any points home from the North East.

It took just 37 seconds for the hosts to take the lead, Eleanor Dale getting beyond the City backline to finish past Fran Bentley.

The away side responded well and levelled the encounter after 10 minutes as Ward tucked home the rebound after Morgan's effort was saved, Jamie-Lee Napier with some excellent work in the build-up.

Just before the half-hour mark, City took the lead. Lloyd-Smith lofted a perfect pass over the top for Morgan who scampered away to lob an effort over the keeper.

The game's turning point was the first eight minutes after the restart as, first, Dale bagged her second of the afternoon before Katie Kitching scored a three-minute brace which included a spectacular strike from range.

Kirby's side searched for a way back into the game and did pull one goal back as Lloyd-Smith finished off a wonderful team move as Jesse Woolley, Ward and Morgan combined in the build-up.

It would be the away side's final clear chance of the afternoon though, as they tasted defeat for just the second time this campaign.