Image source, PA Media

Well, if that game doesn't spark a debate over whether goal-line technology is needed in the upper echelons of women's football, nothing will.

But we also shouldn't let the controversy over Abbie McManus' 'ghost' goal take away from the fact that we witnessed a cracking derby cup tie, particularly an end-to-end second half.

City take their first step to retaining the crown they won at Wembley while United will take crumb from knowing that are consistently competing at the same level as their Manchester rivals.

Read our report from the game here, and that's all for now. Thanks for reading and watching, we hope you enjoyed our coverage.

Ellen White, as is the case with all footballers, told us she couldn't see whether Abbie McManus' effort for United had crossed the line as the hosts were denied an equaliser.

I've still not seen a replay that can be classed as conclusive so it's a pill United will have to swallow.

Some brief reaction from City's double goalscorer Ellen White, who told BBC Sport:

“The most important thing is that we are in the hat for the next round, we made hard work of it but we are really pleased to be in the hat.

“We knew the second goal would be really important for us so I was delighted to get on the scoresheet again. It was a tough second half for us but we showed resilience and dug in deep."

We can't leave you without showing you the last goal of the game, which gave United hope late on. But it was City who held out to progress to the last 16.

You rarely see boos dished out to the officials in the women's game but the referee and his assistants have had to endure some jeers as they walk off here at Leigh Sports Village.

It's all over. A humdinger of a cup derby ends with Manchester City hanging on to dump out their local rivals. But that doesn't tell the half of it.

The visitors will point to Ellen White's clinical finishing being the decisive factor. But United will focus on the two goals they had disallowed, particularly the Abbie McManus goal that never was.

City trying to keep the ball in the corner but they give away a free-kick. Last chance saloon. Lump it up and hope.

If United do find a leveller, you couldn't really argue that they don't deserve it.

Lauren James again threatens one but blasts over from the edge of the box after nifty footwork freed up space for the shot.

Still time for one more chance perhaps.

United will still have around four minutes to force extra time after those two injury-time stoppages.

City, however, quickly restored their two-goal cushion through Jill Scott's curler which you can check out below.

Play has restarted by the way...

There's another break in play, with City keeper Ellie Roebuck down so let's take the chance to enjoy Lauren James' lovely strike earlier.

Five minutes of additional time indicated but there will be more than that as Lauren Hemp - scorer of that own goal - has a bloodied nose from a collision with Amy Turner and requires treatment.

United being cheered on by a vocal home crowd here - perhaps aggrieved by the perceived injustice of the disallowed goal at 2-1.

The red shirts drag their tired bodies forward and Kirsty Smith picks out namesake Hanson in the area but she can only produce an air shot.

Time running out for the hosts now.

It's easy to say in hindsight but you wonder if this game would have panned out differently had United teenager Lauren James played from the start.

She has looked a real threat although her latest effort, a curler from 25 yards, is straight at City keeper Ellie Roebuck.

That third goal has knocked the stuffing out of United. They are still moving forward but there's not the same belief in their attacks that there was a few minutes ago.

While we catch our breath after an action-packed, drama-filled few minutes, take a moment to appreciate Ellen White's exquisite finish to put City 2-0 up.

Manchester United are adamant they have equalised here. Abbie McManus is distraught.

Katie Zelem's floated free-kick evades everyone and falls to McManus at the back post. She pokes out a foot and it looked for all the world it was over the line.

However, Ellie Roebuck claws it out and the referee's assistant keeps her flag down.

No goal-line technology in the women's game. Should there be?