BRADFORD City Women put on an improved performance against Middlesbrough in the FA Women's National League North, but they still slipped to a 4-0 home defeat.

It was their seventh successive loss and leaves them without a point all season. Doncaster Rovers Belles remain bottom on goal difference though.

City were denied an early goal when Shirley Murphy was flagged offside when through, and instead it was 'Boro who took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute.

The visitors then hit the crossbar before doubling their lead right on half-time with a close range header following a break away.

'Boro went 3-0 in front straight after the interval and then scored a fourth on the hour. City's miserable afternoon was compounded when Murphy limped off injured with 10 minutes remaining.

The Bantams will hope to bounce back with a win at Blackburn Rovers Ladies tonight, but they will find it difficult against a side who are unbeaten so far this season.

Elsewhere, Bradford (Park Avenue) Women fell to a remarkable 6-4 defeat at Leeds Medics & Dentists in the West Riding County Women's Premier Division.

Ash Butler, Kirsty Russell, Jade Nelson and Millie West all netted for the visitors but it was not to be enough as their leaky defence proved costly.

Avenue remain second despite the defeat, but that allowed leaders Hepworth United to move a point clear at the summit after they drew 1-1 at Brayton Belles.

Abigail Iggleden netted for the visitors but they were pegged back by an Isabelle Hassleman strike.

Brighouse Town also earned a 1-1 away draw, with their point coming at Yorkshire Amateur. Michelle Walsh scored a cracking goal from 30 yards out for the hosts but Brighouse replied with an Emily Holroyd tap-in.

In Division One, leaders Thackley beat Lower Hopton 6-3, thanks to Lois Cooper scoring four, while Tyersal beat Dewsbury 6-0.

Lauren Burnett and Abbie Tate both scored braces, while Claire Popplewell rolled back the years with a strike of her own.

Finally, in Division Two, Phoenix lost 6-2 to Leeds United Development and Thackley Reserves lost 2-0 at leaders Ossett Albion.