CARRIE Jones marked her debut with a goal in Bristol City's 4-2 defeat against Leicester City on their return to the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Jones had put City ahead in the first half, but an Aimee Palmer equaliser, followed by second-half strikes from Shannon O’Brien, Lena Petermann and Jutta Rantala, before Ameliae Threstrup’s consolation from the penalty spot, saw the Robins defeated at Ashton Gate.

The Newtown raised Wales forward joined the Robins from Manchester United in the summer.

City were looking to become only the third promoted team in history to win their first WSL game of the season, and started the brighter of the two, winning a couple of corners inside the opening 10 minutes.

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City took a deserved lead just after the half-hour mark when Jones turned her marker before firing home from the edge of the area.

Smith’s side began to take control of the game and nearly doubled their lead soon after, as Ffion Morgan caused havoc in the Leicester area with a driven cross which Howard almost inadvertently turned into the back of her own net.

County Times: Carrie Jones of Bristol City celebrates scoring a goal as Bristol City Women play Leicester City Women in a Barclays Women's Super League fixture on October 01, 2023 at Ashton Gate in Bristol, England. (Photo by Andy Watts/Bristol City)Carrie Jones of Bristol City celebrates scoring a goal as Bristol City Women play Leicester City Women in a Barclays Women's Super League fixture on October 01, 2023 at Ashton Gate in Bristol, England. (Photo by Andy Watts/Bristol City).

Jones went agonisingly close to doubling City’s lead and her own tally when she latched onto a through-ball from Ella Powell before seeing her effort from a tight angle blocked on the line by Howard.

Leicester equalised on the cusp of half-time through Palmer, with the former City midfielder smashing a long-range, left-footed effort into the top corner.

Bentley made a huge save to keep the scores level just after the interval, blocking Sam Tierney’s close-range effort after some good play from the visitors.

City did go behind soon after however when O’Brien cut inside onto her right-foot before driving a low effort past Bentley and into the near corner.

The visitors extended their lead further as substitute Rantala’s corner was headed home by Petermann.

The Foxes got their fourth of the afternoon through Rantala with 10 minutes left on the clock, but City responded immediately, being awarded a penalty for a foul on Mari Ward.

Thestrup fired the spot-kick into the bottom corner to give the Robins a lifeline heading into the final stages of the game but Leicester held on to claim all three points.