Elisabeth Terland scored a 95th-minute winner as Brighton edged past Bristol City to move six points clear of the Women’s Super League relegation place.
After the visitors had twice come from behind, the Norwegian striker thumped the ball in off the bar for her second of the game to steal the three points.
Terland opened the scoring with an unerring finish in the first half, with Katie Robinson getting Brighton’s second moments after Abi Harrison had equalised.
Carrie Jones looked to have earned a point for the WSL’s bottom side seven minutes from time, only for Terland to win it for Brighton in dramatic circumstances.
Despite a quick start from the home side, Lauren Smith’s Bristol City were on top for much of the game but fell behind when Terland won the ball 25 yards from the visitors’ goal and found the bottom corner.
City continued to push and were level 10 minutes into the second half. Moments after seeing a stunning shot on the turn come back off the post, Harrison smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the subsequent corner.
However, their joy was short-lived as Brighton raced to the other end and Terland slid the ball through for Robinson to restore the lead 98 seconds later.
Again the Robins responded well and they were level seven minutes from the end when Jones lashed the ball in from close range after Shania Hayles’ header had been clawed away by Brighton keeper Sophie Baggaley.
But the home side were not to be denied and Terland’s superb volley from Lee Geum-min’s flick on saw them snatch the win.
Terland’s ninth WSL goal of the season lifts Brighton to eighth, while Bristol City remain at the foot of the table, behind West Ham on goal difference.
Terland brilliance denies Bristol City a deserved point
With 94 minutes on the clock, the only frustration for the away side was they would be leaving Broadfield Stadium with one point rather than three.
Chances had been at a premium at both ends but it was City who had the territorial advantage for long spells and created the better of the opportunities.
Jamie-Lee Napier was lively, Jones looked a real talent and Harrison was the width of a post away from netting a contender for goal of the season.
But what City lacked was ruthlessness. That is what Terland gives Brighton and it proved the difference as she snatched the point away from the visitors in the 95th minute.
Only Khadija Shaw and Lauren James have scored more WSL goals than the 22-year-old this season, after two more clinical finishes.
A clever reverse pass to assist Robinson showed there is more to her game than just goals, but in a relegation scrap that is a priceless commodity.
Line-ups
Brighton Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 32Baggaley
- 16Kullberg
- 5Bergsvand
- 2Thorisdóttir
- 3Pattinson
- 6LosadaSubstituted forLeeat 81′minutes
- 10Olme
- 18SymondsSubstituted forFerreira Pintoat 68′minutes
- 8Bremer
- 11Terland
- 22RobinsonSubstituted forSarriat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Sarri
- 9Lee
- 14Carabalí
- 17Ferreira Pinto
- 26Li
- 40Startup
- 44McEwan
- 45Dent
Bristol City Women
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 30Yañez
- 4Layzell
- 6Connolly
- 12MustakiSubstituted forHaylesat 74′minutes
- 2PowellSubstituted forWardat 57′minutes
- 8RodgersBooked at 52mins
- 23Jones
- 11Napier
- 16Syme
- 7HarrisonSubstituted forMorganat 74′minutes
- 17Thestrup
Substitutes
- 3Struck
- 9Hayles
- 13Clark
- 15Bull
- 24Morgan
- 29Ward
- 38Pearce
- 44Murray
- Referee:
- Lisa Benn
- Attendance:
- 2,049
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 3, Bristol City Women 2.
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Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 3, Bristol City Women 2.
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Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion Women 3, Bristol City Women 2. Elisabeth Terland (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
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Foul by Tatiana Pinto (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
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Shania Hayles (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Pauline Bremer (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
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Carrie Jones (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Tatiana Pinto (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Carrie Jones (Bristol City Women).
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Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion Women 2, Bristol City Women 2. Carrie Jones (Bristol City Women) right footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal following a set piece situation.
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Attempt saved. Shania Hayles (Bristol City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ffion Morgan with a cross.
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Foul by Veatriki Sarri (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
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Mari Ward (Bristol City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Lee Geum-Min replaces Vicky Losada.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Veatriki Sarri replaces Katie Robinson.
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Delay in match because of an injury Poppy Pattinson (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
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Corner, Bristol City Women. Conceded by Vicky Losada.
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Hand ball by Elisabeth Terland (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
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Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Elisabeth Terland is caught offside.
