Bristol City moved closer to relegation from the Women’s Super League after Marie Hobinger secured Liverpool a 1-0 victory.

The Austria international netted the winner early in the first half and the Reds had a series of chances throughout the game but were denied multiple times by some great saves from City goalkeeper Shae Yanez.

The defeat left City seven points from safety with three matches remaining, although they could go down this weekend depending on other results, while Liverpool moved into fourth.

Liverpool nearly took the lead in bizarre circumstances in the opening exchanges when a mis-timed pass from Yanez saw the ball deflect off Sophie Roman Haug, who responded quickly to close it down, but the Robins managed to clear off the line.

The visitors found the breakthrough in the 13th minute when Missy Bo Kearns’ cross deflected to Hobinger on the edge of the area and the midfielder slotted into the bottom right corner.

Liverpool remained on top with Roman Haug causing problems and although she had the ball in the net, the goal was disallowed for a foul on Yanez.

Although the Reds stayed in control, City threatened when Ffion Morgan’s shot was deflected behind before Teagan Micah clawed away Morgan’s in-swinging delivery from the subsequent corner just before half-time.

Liverpool nearly had a second just minutes into the second half when Hobinger’s low effort smashed off the post from distance and the Bristol City defence quickly cleared.

Roman Haug had a shot blocked, but City were unable to clear the loose ball before Mia Enderby picked it up and turned past her defender to fire just over the bar.

Bristol City had a brilliant chance to level in the 65th minute when a mistake at the back allowed Amalie Thestrup to cut through on the right, but Micah palmed away her effort from a tight angle.

Liverpool continued to push in the final stages, but Yanez made a great save at her near post to deny Enderby’s low effort and made another brilliant stop moments later to hold onto Grace Fisk’s header.

Kearns’ curling free-kick was punched off the line by Yanez in the 72nd minute and she made another solid save to hold a dangerous cross.