58 min: I don’t know how they’re doing this, but Bristol are STILL keeping the visitors at bay. Three defenders throw themselves in front of goal to block a shot before the ball falls to Park. The midfielder shoots, but Yanez makes the save. Incredible!

55 min: Hemp comes inches away from breaking the deadlock. Fowler does well to get into the box from the left before driving the ball across to Hemp at the back post, but the England star’s shot runs just wide!

The drums here at Ashton Gate are really adding to the dramatic atmosphere!

54 min: Bristol continue to defend brilliantly, with Bull throwing her body in the way to block a cross from Hemp.

This is some performance from the hosts!

52 min: Another chance for Manchester City as Kelly goes for goal inside the box, but Bull manages to block the shot. A big let-off for the hosts.

50 min: Park looks to cross the ball into the box from the right, but her pass is cut out by Connolly and Bristol can clear the danger.

49 min: Bristol have a corner. Connolly sends the ball into the box and Furness gets her head to it, but can’t direct her effort on target.

47 min: Both teams made some changes at the break, with Kerstin Casparij replacing Kennedy for Manchester City.

For Bristol, Carrie Jones has replaced Thestrup and Morgan has made way for Abi Harrison.

We’re back under way at Ashton Gate!

While we wait for the second half to start, make sure you’re subscribed to Moving the Goalposts, our FREE women’s football newsletter.

I don’t think anyone expected Bristol to get anything from this game, but they could come away with a point – maybe even more. Manchester City have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal so far, perhaps partly due to the absence of Khadija Shaw.

Gordon has messaged in to say: “Man City have been superb in their most recent games but tonight - so far - is a regression. Very much missing Bunny Shaw. They need to change, I’d like to see Hemp in the middle and Kelly on the wing. I’d also like to see Filippa Angeldahl come on, a regular starter for Sweden but strangely neglected by City.”

Bristol manager Lauren Smith will be absolutely thrilled with that first-half performance. Gareth Taylor, not so much.

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45+6 min: Hemp comes close with arguably the best chance of the match so far. Park crosses the ball into the box from the left and the winger makes a late run in at the back post, but her header is saved by Yanez!

45+4 min: Manchester City are really pushing for that opening goal as we approach half-time. Fowler goes for goal, but Yanez makes the save. It runs back out to Kelly who shoots again, but the goalkeeper can claim it.

45+2 min: Ouahabi goes for goal from the edge of the box, but it’s an easy save for Yanez.

45+1 min: Six minutes have been added on…

44 min: Napier wins a free kick on the left following a challenge from Hemp. It is delivered into the box, but Fowler eventually clears.

42 min: Manchester City have a corner and it is played short. Hasegawa eventually sends a cross into the box and Kennedy goes for goal, but her headed effort flies over the crossbar.

40 min: The visitors have been in desperate search of an opening so far, but they just can’t find one. Five minutes to go now until half-time.

37 min: Both players have been cleared to play on following that collision. Manchester City are handed the ball for the restart.

35 min: Thestrup and Keating are both sitting up now after that horrible collision. Startup is warming up for the visitors.

33 min: Another big opportunity for Bristol as the ball is crossed into a very dangerous area. Keating comes out in an attempt to collect it, but collides heavily with Thestrup.

This looks quite serious for both players.

31 min: Manchester City have a corner and the ball is crossed into the box by Fowler. There are several blue shirts in there, but Yanez punches it clear.

The Bristol goalkeeper has been brilliant so far this evening.

30 min: Chance for Bristol as Thestrup is pulled down by Kennedy. The referee signals to play on, but the hosts can’t complete the attack.

29 min: Manchester City are yet to break the deadlock in this crucial WSL clash.

Gordon has emailed in to say: “Man City making heavy weather of this vital match against modest opposition. Chances are coming - mainly thanks to Hasegawa’s first-touch passing - but the finishing has been poor so far.”

26 min: Yanez is able to continue for now, much to the relief of the home fans.

25 min: There’s some concern for Bristol as Yanez goes to ground with what looks like a glute issue. She is receiving treatment from the physios.

23 min: Another chance for City as Kelly makes a run down the right before crossing the ball into the box. Coombs directs it into the path of Hemp with her first touch and the winger goes for goal, but her effort is off-target.

21 min: Coombs receives the ball again before going for goal from outside the box, but it’s an easy save for Yanez.

20 min: Coombs receives the ball from Greenwood in midfield, turns and plays it through to Kelly, but there is a bit too much power on the pass. A good opportunity for the visitors.

18 min: Chance for Man City as Fowler carries the ball into the box before playing a short pass to Hemp. The winger goes for goal, but her effort deflects off two players and Yanez can collect.

15 min: Lauren Smith will be very happy with the way this game has gone so far. The game plan seems to be working at the moment – Bristol haven’t given too much away, which is exactly what the manager was hoping for.

12 min: Fowler makes a run down the right before squaring the ball across goal. Kelly goes for goal but her effort flies wide.

9 min: Bristol go on the attack now as Napier makes a run towards the box, Park gets a tackle in but the ball falls to the feet of Rodgers who goes for goal. Greenwood can make the block and clearance, but it hits the referee and play is briefly stopped for a drop ball.

7 min: Another chance for Manchester City as Fowler receives the ball on the right from Kelly. She sends a low driven cross into the box and it takes a few deflections before Yanez collects.

5 min: Chance for Manchester City as Greenwood receives the ball in defence and sends it over too Coombs, who sets up Hemp on the edge of the box. The winger goes for goal but her effort flies well wide.

3 min: Kennedy sends a long pass over to Hemp on the left, who sets the ball inside to Coombs. The midfielder looks to cross it into the box towards Fowler’s direction, but Bristol manage to clear the danger.

1 min: Bristol come flying out of the blocks as Thestrup looks to win a corner within the opening minute, but Manchester City are awarded a goal kick instead.

We’re under way in Bristol! A huge 90 minutes ahead for both teams.

Just over five minutes to go until kick-off at Ashton Gate. Don’t forget you can email in throughout the match – I’ll be with you all evening!

Elsewhere in the WSL today

• Everton 1-1 Arsenal

• Tottenham 1-1 Brighton

• Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham

• Leicester 0-1 Man Utd

Here’s how the table looks ahead of today’s match…

Bristol City will be relegated to the Championship if they fail to beat Manchester City this evening.

Discussing her team’s relegation battle ahead of today’s match, Bristol manager Lauren Smith said: “They’re fighting for their lives because they want to win the league, we’re fighting for ours because we want to stay in the league. The match-up is very different. We will do whatever we can to stay in the game and give ourselves a shout but obviously Man City have been playing very well and I think last week’s warning signs against West Ham were very clear. We don’t want to be in that situation after three minutes.”

Manchester City could go six points clear at the top of the WSL table today. Gareth Taylor’s side can pile the pressure on Chelsea with a win at Ashton Gate. Chelsea have missed the last two WSL gameweeks while competing in the Champions League, they next play on Wednesday against Liverpool.

Manchester City will be without leading goalscorer Khadija Shaw today. The striker, who currently leads the WSL Golden Boot race, suffered a foot injury during City’s 5-0 win over West Ham last weekend. Discussing Shaw’s injury during his pre-match press conference, Gareth Taylor said: “We have an issue with Bunny, she’s sustained a foot injury which will keep her out of the game for certain and potentially longer. It’s such a difficult one for Bunny because she’s had an incredible season. We had a feeling it might be an issue when she came off the pitch [against West Ham] even though it was non contact. She’ll be well looked after by the medical team.”

Lauren Hemp will likely step into the No9 position, with Chloe Kelly moving onto the wing.

Bristol City starting XI: Shae Yanez; Jazz Bull, Brooke Aspin, Megan Connolly, Naomi Layzell, Ffion Morgan; Emily Syme, Amy Rodgers, Rachel Furness, Jamie-Lee Napier; Amalie Thestrup. Substitutes: Fran Bentley, Shania Hayles, Ella Powell, Sille Struck, Abi Harrison, Mari Ward, Sarah Stratigakis, Lisa Evans, Carrie Jones.

Manchester City XI: Khiara Keating; Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri, Alex Greenwood, Alanna Kennedy; Laura Coombs, Yui Hasegawa, Jess Park; Mary Fowler, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp. Substitutes: Katie Startup, Steph Houghton, Filippa Angeldahl, Esme Morgan, Poppy Pritchard, Kerstin Casparij, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Ruby Mace.

Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of today’s WSL match between Bristol City and Manchester City. This could be a defining fixture at both the top and bottom of the table with the hosts looking to avoid relegation and the visitors pushing for the title.

If Bristol lose today, they will be relegated to the Championship with two games remaining. Meanwhile, if Manchester City win they will extend their lead at the top of the WSL table, piling the pressure on Chelsea who have two games in hand.

However, it will not be easy for Gareth Taylor’s side - especially without top goalscorer Khadija Shaw, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Kick off is at 6:45pm GMT – don’t miss it!