Manchester City Women 1-0 Arsenal Ladies: Nick Cushing's side reach Continental Cup final

Manchester City are through to the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup final thanks to Jennifer Beattie's late goal against her former club.

Beattie slammed home Toni Duggan's free-kick after a deflection brought it straight into her path with just 10 minutes left to play.

It was a tale of missed chances for Arsenal as Danielle Carter spurned several opportunities, while Asisat Oshoala also struggled in front of goal.

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Carter did hit the crossbar shortly before City opened the scoring, but it was Scotland international Beattie's goal which proved crucial.

Both sides struggled to get going, with defences coming out on top, although Oshoala did have one clear chance in the first half, which was snuffed out by Steph Houghton.

Arsenal had looked the more likely to score until Casey Stoney brought down Nikita Parris outside the box, gifting City a free-kick in a promising position.

Duggan's attempt cannoned off an Arsenal player and allowed Beattie to smash home the winner from six yards out.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side responded well and saw an effort cleared off the line by former player Houghton.

But City held out through six minutes of added time to ensure they will challenge Birmingham City Ladies for a trophy they first won in 2014.

City, who are the Women's Super League leaders, will play at their own Academy Stadium in the final against Birmingham October 2 after the Blues' 4-0 win over London Bees on Saturday.

City beat Arsenal in 2014 to win the Continental Tyres Cup and Houghton is delighted to have a shot at repeating that feat.

"This is special for us because the Continental Cup final was the first trophy we won, it's the only trophy we've ever won and that makes it extra special for us," the England defender said. "Going forward that's what we want to do, we want to win trophies whatever it is.

"We had to be professional and that emotion and adrenaline got us through to the final and we're thankful for that."

England and Arsenal's Alex Scott was left frustrated as her side crashed out of a tournament they have won four times.

"On reflection we had most of the chances and we should have been putting them away. Defensively both teams were solid," Scott said. 

"We should have come away with the win but they came away with a set-piece but apart from that we weren't really threatened.

"The aim now is just to aim for second place, upset Chelsea and try and get that Champions League place."