SAINTS got the 2024/25 Women's Championship season started with a 1-1 against Bristol City on Sunday.

Former player Lexi Lloyd-Smith returned to deny Saints an opening-day win after Aimee Palmer put them ahead with a stunning debut free-kick.

The two-time Championship winner opened her account in style early in the second half following a first half which lacked final-third quality.

Saints withstood some late pressure from the hosts to hold on and earn their first league draw in over 500 days.

Interim boss Lauren Dykes took charge of Bristol City following Lauren Smith's decision to step away from her head coach role in the weeks leading up to the season opener.

Five summer signings made their debut in Remi Allen's first competitive game in charge, including goalkeeper Fran Stenson, who stepped in for the injured Kayla Rendell.

Defender Jemma Purfield led the side out at St Mary's having been named club captain on Saturday afternoon, replacing the now-retired Rosie Parnell.

Former Saint Lloyd-Smith nearly gave Bristol City the lead inside 20 seconds on her return to the south coast, having departed the club this summer.

The visitors came flying out of the gates and worked a chance for Lloyd-Smith from kick-off but the winger couldn't apply the finishing touch.

Bristol City continued to dominate the early action as Allen's side struggled to play out under the visitor's press.

The Robins went close again on 20 minutes when Stenson lost the ball having vacated the goal - Bristol City played across the Lloyd-Smith, who couldn't fire home while off balance.

Stenson then had to stand her ground to deny Amalie Thestrup's near post effort before recovering to save another long-range shot.

Scotland international Abi Harrison was the next player to go close in the first half - she poked just past the post while Saints were temporarily reduced to 10 players.

A rare Saints attack on 40 minutes resulted in their first effort on goal - debutant Freya Gregory crossed for Molly Pike but she couldn't aim towards the net.

Southampton's positive end to the first half carried through to the second and they quickly took the lead thanks to a stunning debut goal from Palmer.

The former Bristol City midfielder squeezed a free-kick into the top corner from an unlikely angle - although Bentley won't want to see that one back.

Sille Struck, who was booed all afternoon after a scuffle with Pike, came agonisingly close to levelling the score from a corner minutes later.

The Danish defender flashed over the crossbar from close range after her initial header came crashing off the crossbar.

Saints felt aggrieved at not winning a penalty when Rianna Dean looked to have been pulled down while preparing to shoot.

The referee signalled for a corner despite booking a Bristol City defender in the aftermath.

That decision would come back to hurt the hosts when Lloyd-Smith fired a dagger into the home supporters' hearts.

The 21 year old drilled an equaliser into the bottom corner before wheeling away in an emotional celebration in front of both sets of fans.

Dykes' side should have taken the lead with 15 minutes remaining when Jesse Woolley delivered an enticing cross to the back post which Amy Rodgers failed to meet.

Saints: Stenson, Collett, Mott, Bourne, Purfield, Rowe, Kendall, Palmer (Griffiths, 69'), Pike, Gregory (Brown, 79'), Dean (Thompson, 76')

Unused subs: Haaland, Milne, Primus, Peake, Nohasiarisoa, Watts.

Yellow cards: Griffiths.

Bristol City: Bentley, Powell, Struck, Syme, Bennett, Thestrup (Teisar, 76'), Napier, Ward, Rodgers, Lloyd-Smith (Woolley, 68'), Harrison.

Unused subs: Burns, Humphries, Bull, Earl, Durrant, Pearce, Kendell.

Yellow cards: Thestrup, Ward, Powell.

Referee: Stacey Fullicks.

Attendance: 1,622.