Elisabeth Terland’s stoppage-time winner secured Brighton a priceless three points in a dramatic 3-2 victory over relegation rivals Bristol City at Broadfield Stadium.

Terland gave the hosts the lead in the 31st minute with a fierce shot from the edge of the box, only for Abi Harrison to equalise in the 55th minute with a powerful effort.

Katie Robinson restored the Seagulls’ advantage two minutes later before Carrie Jones looked to have secured a draw with a close-range finish after 83 minutes.

But Terland notched her ninth goal of the league campaign at the death as Melissa Phillips’ team rose to eighth in the table, six points ahead of bottom-of-the-table City.

After an untidy opening, Robins goalkeeper Shae Yanez did well to deny the onrushing Terland from close range following a fierce foot race with former Brighton midfielder Megan Connolly.

The visitors then got a foothold in the match and nearly went ahead in the eighth minute when Jamie-Lee Napier volleyed just wide from 20 yards.

Bristol City, who have only won one league game all season, failed to take advantage of the hosts’ sloppy start, however, and were punished ruthlessly when Terland pounced on an error at the back and rifled a shot past Yanez.

The away side started the second half with a greater sense of urgency and were not too far away from an equaliser when Naomi Layzell stabbed wide from close range.

Shortly after Harrison saw her effort cannon off a post, the Scotland international sent a piledriver into the top corner from 10 yards for a deserved goal.

That setback spurred the home team into action and a quickfire attack ended with Terland setting up Robinson, who deftly swept the ball past Yanez in the 57th minute.

Connolly, who spent five seasons at the Sussex outfit prior to leaving the club last summer, was next to try her luck, but her 25-yard free-kick went the wrong side of the frame of the goal.

Bristol would not lie down, though, and after former Robins goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley made a superb diving stop from Shania Hayles’ header, Jones was on hand to smash home the loose ball from four yards.

Lauren Smith’s side, who had 18 shots to the home side’s eight, looked set to come away with a point but Terland had other ideas as her effort crashed off the underside of the crossbar and over the line to make her Brighton’s all-time leading WSL goalscorer with 16.

The result secured Brighton their first home win of the league season but the Robins are rooted to the bottom with just five points from 11 games.