SAINTS FC Women beat Women's Super League side Bristol City on penalties to go second in Group D of the FA Continental Tyres League Cup.

The score was 1-1 after normal time before Bristol City's Brooke Aspin missed the decisive penalty to give Saints a bonus point victory.

The home side had taken the lead at the Robins High Performance Centre when Rachel Furness rose highest with the ball deflecting in of Mari Ward.

Marieanne Spacey-Cale's side equalised shortly after half-time as Katie Wilkinson's ball across the face of the box was slotted in by Lexi Lloyd-Smith.

Beth Howard had been given her first start of the season in goal for Southampton with Megan Wynne and Lloyd-Smith also handed starts.

Sophia Pharoah went close early on but her effort went just wide after she had been picked out brilliantly by Jemma Purfield.

The WSL side took the lead in the 33rd minute as Ffion Morgan's cross was attacked by Furness with Ward later being awarded the goal.

Wynne and Lloyd-Smith both went close before half-time but they were unable to hit the target.

Saints deservedly levelled after the break with Lloyd-Smith producing a smart finish after good work in the build-up by Wilkinson.

Substitute Emma Thompson almost won it for Saints deep into the second half but her effort was saved by Kaylan Marckese.

That meant a penalty shoot-out would be needed to decide who would get the extra point.

Purfield, Paige Peake, Emily Kraft and Ella Morris all scored from the spot before Aspin sent her crucial penalty wide.

Saints will now face Durham on Sunday in the Championship, while they travel to Reading on November 8 for their next game in the Continental Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur are top of the group after they thrashed Reading 6-0 on Wednesday night.