ROBINS ROCKED BY COSTLY RELEGATION

BRISTOL CITY will miss out on next season’s record TV deal windfall after their 3-1 defeat by BRIGHTON saw them relegated to the Championship. The Robins, who had been bottom for the majority of the campaign, needed to win — and one of ASTON VILLA and BIRMINGHAM to slip up — to survive. It was not to be, with Villa picking up an impressive 0-0 draw at ARSENAL to maintain their top-flight status. Birmingham were beaten 1-0 by TOTTENHAM, but the Blues only needed to equal Bristol’s result to secure safety. Carla Ward’s side had been thrown back into the relegation mix after they were deducted a point for fielding an ineligible player during their 1-1 draw with READING last month. Ward deserves huge credit for keeping Birmingham in the WSL despite having to overcome a series of obstacles throughout the campaign. Matt Beard has done an admirable job since taking charge of Bristol City in January, after boss Tanya Oxtoby took maternity leave. A dramatic late win over Reading in March saw the club move off the bottom of the table but defeats and draws against sides around them meant they failed to complete the great escape. They will not find it easy to bounce straight back, either. LIVERPOOL have shown that the Championship is a difficult division from which to escape, with the Reds finishing third after their relegation last season. Beard could be heading for Merseyside this summer with the 43-year-old thought to be the leading candidate for the vacant manager’s job. The Robins will also probably see Ebony Salmon leave in the summer. The striker made her England debut in February and will have suitors in the WSL after scoring 10 goals in all competitions.