Report: Durham 2-0 Bristol City.

City were beaten 2-0 by Durham in their last game of the Barclays Women’s Championship season.

Goals from Beth Hepple and Molly Lambert either side of half-time were enough for the hosts to secure all three points at Maiden Castle.

Steve Kirby made two changes to his side for the final game of the season, with Harley Bennett returning from suspension and Ffion Morgan back in to lead the line, replacing Jess Simpson and Tianna Teisar in the starting eleven.

Durham were awarded an early free-kick in a dangerous position after a foul from Lexi Lloyd-Smith, but Beth Hepple could only hit the wall with her effort.

The home side took the lead in controversial fashion after calls for a foul after Amy Rodgers was bundled to the ground were waved away, and Lily Croswaite led a quick break before crossing for Hepple to fire in at the back post.

Ella Powell delivered a pinpoint cross towards Lloyd-Smith, whose first time volley was comfortably saved by Rylee Foster.

City continued to push for an equaliser and Powell was involved again as her cross was deflected into the path of Ward who looked destined to score, but her shot was blocked on the line.

Lloyd-Smith and Powell both went close just before the break, as City heeded into half-time behind.

City started the second half well and went close when Emily Syme found Chloe Mustaki on the edge of the area, and the Ireland international let fly from distance, seeing her shot cannon off the crossbar and away.

Molly Lambert doubled the hosts’ lead, sweeping home from close range after Croswaite’s cross found her inside the six-yard box.

City had a brilliant chance to get back into the game when Lloyd-Smith’s cross found Morgan in acres of space at the back post, but her first time shot sailed just wide.

STARTING XI: Bentley (GK), Bennett, Struck (Simpson 83’), Mustaki, Powell (O’Leary 63’), Meena (Teisar 73’), Rodgers, Ward, Syme (c), Lloyd-Smith (Thestrup 73’), Morgan.

Substitutes: Stowell (GK), Woolley.