TOP scorer Laura Elford marked her return from injury with the winning goal as Bradford City Women defeated Derby County.

After missing City's back-to-back defeats in January, to Leicester in the SSE Women's FA Cup and Stoke in the FA Women's Premier League, Elford notched her 16th of the season as the Bantams ran out 1-0 winners.

The striker admitted that after losing to the Rams twice already this term, there was an added motivation for this Northern Division fixture.

"We definitely owed them a good game, especially after losing to them in extra time in the cup," said Elford.

"Regardless of our opponents, we aim to go out every week and get the three points and perform to the best standard possible. Still, it was great to get a win on the board against them."

Elford added: "It's been really frustrating missing games and training, especially straight after the Christmas break. But I've been lucky that some of the games have been called off due to weather, so I've not missed quite as many.

"It wasn't the best goal I've ever scored, more a goalline scramble, but they all count and thankfully that was the difference after we'd created a few chances with some good attacking football that we were just unlucky with.

"I think it was a solid performance by the girls, not only as a team but as individuals. Everyone gave everything they could, right up to the final whistle.

"We were determined to get the three points after working hard on areas we needed to improve on in training and we ground out a result."

It was the perfect time for City to snap their losing run, ahead of a visit from leaders Middlesbrough this weekend.

When the two sides met earlier this season, Boro had raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time, but Bradford clawed back and almost snatched an unlikely point in what finished a 3-2 defeat.

Elford said: "The mood is positive. We only had a near loss to them at their place earlier in the season and that was due to a few mistakes on our part.

"We're much stronger as a team now and have come on a lot, so we're hoping to give them a really difficult game at the weekend and hopefully get a win on our home turf.

"Everyone is positive going into the game as always. We've had plenty of setbacks this season but the girls never lack positivity when going into a game."