Albion are off to a losing start in the top-tier WSL - when they should have taken at least a point.

The Seagulls opened their league campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City at the Broadfield Stadium today.

They were beaten by a long-range effort from Lucy Graham in the 71st minute after the City midfielder spotted keeper Laura Hartley off her line.

Albion will feel they deserved some reward on their big-league debut after they created the better of what few chance there were.

Kayleigh Green’s low flick was held by keeper Sophie Baggaley in a tight first half after Danni Buet’s precise through ball.

Baggaley produced a better save early in the second half, using fingertips to superbly keep Beth Roe’s curler out of the bottom corner.

Laura Rafferty then volleyed over when she should probably have hit the target.

Albion were getting on top at that stage.

But, despite a lot of effort, they struggled to create a clear chance once Graham had struck.

Albion: Hartley, Roe, Williams, Rafferty, Gibbons; Natkiel (Perry 79), Peplow (Brett 46), Buet, Brazil; A.Whelan, Green (Umotong 65).