Manchester City ended their torrid run of form by coming away with a hard-earned point from a thrilling Manchester derby.The struggling Citizens travelled to Leigh Sports Village to face rivals Manchester United in the Women's Super League on Saturday afternoon.Thanks to goals from Khadija Shaw and Ellen White, City managed to get a point on the board despite being reduced to ten players in the first half.The visitors had their squad depleted after Georgia Stanway was given her marching orders for an ugly challenge on Leah Galton.Stepping in as right-back due to Gareth Taylor's current injury crisis, the England international flew in to dispossess the United forward but completely mistimed her attempt.Stanway's studs ploughed straight into Galton's thigh and referee Rebecca Welch reached straight for her pocket for her red card.
City were down to ten players after the 35th minute but Bunny Shaw restored faith in the occasion with a towering header to break the deadlock just three minutes later.
The teams went into half-time with City leading, but Man United hit back with two goals in three minutes after the break.
Lucy Staniforth bagged her first goal in red followed by an Alessia Russo strike to take the lead.
While it looked too big an ask for City to come back, the visitors capitalised after a Jess Park shot from distance rattled the crossbar and Ellen White was there to tuck away the rebound.
The Citizens come away from the derby with a much-needed point, putting them on four in total from five games played.
"I was really close, I thought it was a yellow card," City boss Taylor said of the Stanway red card. "I'm hearing it was a little high. I need to see it again."
Man City's next fixture will see them take on Everton in the FA Cup on Wednesday, October 13th.