Smith lauds second-half tempo.

An own goal on the stroke of half time handed the Robins the lead before Gracie Pearse and Grace Clinton both found the net in a much-improved second forty-five.

"We knew it was going to be a gritty one and one we weren't going to have total control over," said the City boss.

"I think we could have done better at that in the first half but I'm really pleased with the change in tempo for the second half.

"When Durham got tired they couldn't deal with us and we got better from that point so I'm pleased with how we saw out the 90 minutes.

"It was all about control. We weren't playing smart in the first half or moving the ball quick enough or using the space. We had to adjust a few little things and manage ourselves back into the game.

"It was a really big performance because we had to dig deep again and find a way to win.

"We've done the business and that's really important."

Brooke Aspin made her long-awaited return to action after 67 minutes, and Smith was full of pride for the young defender.

"It was brilliant to see Brooke back out there," she said. "We've seen it for weeks now in training that she's every bit the player she was before, if not better.

"She made some big tackles, played forward and almost got herself on the scoresheet as well.

"We're all really, really proud of her but we know it's just the start."

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City Women return home to the Robins High Performance Centre on Sunday, April 2nd to take on Sheffield United (3pm).