Report: Durham 2-2 Bristol City.

City Women were held to a draw in Durham.

The Robins had turned it around after going behind after goals from Gemma Lawley and Mari Ward saw them go 2-1 up, but a late Beth Hepple penalty was enough for the points to be shared.

Charlotte Healy made three changes to her starting XI after last week’s defeat to Birmingham City, with Oliwia Woś, Maria Farrugia and Rio Hardy all restored.

Hardy was straight into the action as City flew out the blocks, hitting Katie Robinson’s knock down on the half-volley but ultimately seeing her effort fly just wide.

Beth Hepple’s corner almost sneaked in at the back post with the conditions playing a part at Maiden Castle.

The hosts took the lead inside 15 minutes when Hannah Blake found herself in space inside the 18-yard box and slotted her shot into the bottom corner.

City looked for an instant response and Hardy created an opening for herself, turning her defender and letting fly from the edge of the area, but Cat Sheppard got down well to deny the former Durham striker.

Robinson found herself in the book after a couple of late tackles.

Ella Powell travelled down the right hand side from full-back and won City a corner with a dangerous looking delivery into the Durham box.

Emily Syme’s set piece found Farrugia who took it on the volley but fired high and wide of Sheppard’s goal.

Lauren Briggs’ delivery from deep was helped by the wind into the path of Michaela Foster who had a great chance to double the hosts’ lead, but her header sailed over.

The Robins equalised just before the break when Syme’s corner was headed home by Gemma Lawley for her second goal of the season.

Fran Bentley pulled off two exceptional saves from point blank range seconds before the break to see City into the interval level.

Blake almost got hers and Durham’s second of the game when she fired over after Bentley’s punch away from a corner.

Bentley was again on hand to keep the scores level, this time denying Mariana Speckmaier at her front post.

City went in front for the first time when again a Syme corner caused havoc and Mari Ward headed home at the front post, leaving Sheppard no chance.

Hepple was set free in behind and found herself one-on-one with Bentley, who again stood tall to deny her.

Jessie Gale and Esther Morgan were introduced with 25 minutes remaining.

Foster’s corner looked dangerous but Morgan was able to head away in the nick of time.

Morgan was again heavily involved when she made a superb recovery tackle to deny Mollie Lambert a run at goal.

Harley Bennett replaced goalscorer Ward as The Robins looked to see the game out.

There was a minimum of three minutes of additional time at the end of the second period.

Durham were awarded a penalty when Lloyd-Smith was controversially adjudged to have bundled Sarah Robinson over in the box.

The hosts drew level deep into added time as top scorer Hepple converted confidently from the spot, and it finished 2-2 at Maiden Castle.

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STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Powell, Woś, Lawley, Ward (Bennett 87’), Ingle, Syme (c), Farrugia (Morgan 65’), Robinson (Gale 65’), Lloyd-Smith, Hardy.

Subs not used: Burns (GK), Brzykcy (GK), Jones, Struck, Sáez.