ELLEN WHITE and Khadija Shaw helped Manchester City fight back from a reckless red card moment to seal a precious draw from a four-goal thriller.
A header and poached effort from the forwards saw the Citizens recover from two quickfire Man United strikes to share the derby spoils of a frenetic 2-2 finish.
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And the result leaves United, who face Durham in the league cup, searching for their first top tier win against their neighbours.
Man United boss Mark Skinner said: “It’s a missed opportunity in terms of three points but it’s a step forward in terms of mentality in terms of our experience together.
“If you’re in a winning part of any game, you want to win the game.
“The way that our team is growing together, I’m seeing steps and strides every single game. There is a slight tinge of disappointment but a lot of positives.”
The early moments of the encounter saw Gareth Taylor’s side nab two clear scoring chances in the first quarter.
First, through a Janine Beckie strike in the thirteenth minute forcing a flying save from Mary Earps.
And then through powerful Lauren Hemp header a minute later prompting Maria Thorisdottir’s clearance off the line.
United had a few opportunities of their own.
This includes one with Leah Galton around the half-hour with the player appearing to be through on goal before being flagged offside.
The game would momentarily be turned on its head with Georgia Stanway’s studs-up challenge on Galton leading to Rebecca Welch give the player her marching orders.
On the red card, Taylor said: “The referee obviously had a better view than anyone and I heard the fourth official saying it was reckless.
“I couldn’t really see it, but obviously on reflection having seen it afterwards it’s a disappointing one, and it’s probably an easy decision for the referee to make.”
Although injury-hit City saw their line-up reduced, they took the lead in the thirty-fifth minute via a pinpoint Demi Stokes cross headed home by Khadija Shaw.
And they came close to increasing their tally with Alex Greenwood’s curled effort forcing another fine Earps save ahead of half-time.
The second spell saw United get on the scoresheet with two goals in five minutes. First through Lucy Staniforth’s clever backheel off the back of a quickly taken corner
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Then through Alessia Russo marking her return to form with a bottom corner strike in the 75th minute.
But White would come to City’s rescue moments later slotting in an equaliser after Earps’ parried save from a thumping Jess Park strike.
And the City ace’s effort saw her side pick up their first point in four games ahead of their Conti Cup duel with Everton.
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