The Robins are bottom of the Women's Super League, six points from safety, after an 11th loss in 15 games.

Victory would have moved City to within two points of Brighton but a porous defensive display pushes them ever closer to relegation.

"I don't know how to put it other than anger," Smith said.

Having gone 4-1 down in the second half at Ashton Gate, the home side did manage to pull it back to 4-3 before collapsing, conceding three goals from the 89th minute onwards.

"The game had everything in it," Smith added. "I'm really proud of how we got back into it but ultimately you have to look at the score and it's embarrassing.

"Not even the amount of goals, it's the way we are conceding them. The throw-ins and corners that we were good at, it's like we get better at one thing and forget how to do something else. What do you do then?"

With seven matches remaining, the Robins still have to contend with away games at Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as hosting Manchester City.

"Everybody knew this was a big game and a big moment," Smith added. "We were already up against it and now we are really, really up against it.

"We've been looking at it since the start that we were already the relegated team in many people's minds. We put up a fight to show we could do something about it and now I'd say we are the relegated team again.

"There's only one way out of it to prove everybody wrong. It is a big challenge and a mountain, not one that is numerically impossible, but if we don't put 90 minutes in the tank defending then it is numerically impossible."

Next up for Bristol City is the first of those three trips to top-four clubs, away at Manchester United, as Smith tries to maintain some belief among her squad that they can defy the odds and avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

"[It's] definitely the biggest challenge [as a manager], probably the hardest emotional one as well," she said.

"It's a mixture of disappointment, anger, everything is flowing around now. That's the hardest bit and knowing everyone is doing everything they possible can. It's probably the most mis-matched feeling I've ever had."