WSL 1: Birmingham City Ladies 0-0 Manchester City Women

Freda Ayisi made her Birmingham City Ladies debut off the bench in the FA Cup fifth-round win over Liverpool

Birmingham City hung on for a draw in their Women's Super League opener with Manchester City, despite playing the entire second half with 10 players.

In a first half of few meaningful opportunities, visiting goalkeeper Karen Bardsley did well to tip a fierce Jo Potter effort over the bar.

Freda Ayisi then saw red on her first Blues start following a scuffle.

Toni Duggan twice called home goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer into action, but neither side could find a winner.

Birmingham were again without England striker Karen Carney, who is not expected to return from injury until their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Manchester City on 12 April.

The hosts were looking to add to their impressive start to the season, having opened their campaign with a 3-1 FA Cup win over defending WSL 1 champions Liverpool a week earlier.

Jo Potter produced the best chance of the first half from distance

But it was the visitors who started strongest at Damson Park, with Nikita Parris and Duggan foiled by Spencer before Potter tested Bardsley with a 25-yard shot.

Birmingham were then a woman down as England Under-23 and former Arsenal striker Ayisi was sent off just before the break for her involvement in an altercation with Bardsley leading up to a corner

The visitors suffered their own setback with England Under-19 international Keira Walsh carried off the pitch injured.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Birmingham pressed for a winner and went close to opening the scoring as Emily Westwood fired just wide.

Duggan was Manchester City's biggest threat going forward, but she twice failed to get the better of Spencer.

Keira Walsh suffered an early second-half injury

Birmingham City's Jessica Carter (l) is tackled by Emma Lipman in their goalless draw at Solihull Moors

Birmingham City: Spencer, Windell (Linnett 70, Stringer 90+5), Mannion, Westwood, Harrop, Carter, Allen, Potter, Moore, Lawley, Ayisi

Substitutes not used: Baggaley, Sargeant, Simpkins, Torkildsen

Manchester City: Bardsley, Stokes, Nightingale, Beattie, Lipman, Walsh (Radtke 50) Scott, Christiansen, Parris, Flint (Harding 72), Duggan.

Substitutes not used: Brooks, Houghton, Johnston, Wiltshire

Bookings: Lipman

Attendance: 757