Bradford City Women suffer Hull defeat to remain rock-bottom

After disappointing results for both sides last week, the teams would have been eager to set the record straight at City's Mitton Group Stadium.

Hull started the game dangerously as they tested Bantams shot-stopper Aimee Routledge inside two minutes, before a free kick inside City’s half was almost converted behind an onrushing Routledge, with the effort going just wide of the target.

The visitors’ early pressure finally paid off just 10 minutes into the game. Maisie Norde heroically cleared a goalbound effort off the line but Amy Kay nodded the ball past Routledge from the resulting corner to put Hull in front.

The Bantams reacted positively and almost equalised through Robyn Harris. Superb footwork from Rosie Gill allowed her to feed a ball into Harris' path, with her curling shot tipped round the post.

Harriet Jakeman’s floated free kick from the halfway line rattled the crossbar to deny City an equaliser on the half hour mark.

Five minutes later, the away side punished City for their missed chances when Rachael Ackroyd converted a penalty after Routledge collided with her in the box.

With just over 20 minutes left on the clock, the Tigers trebled their advantage to take the game out of City’s reach.

The ball fell to Hope Knight in the penalty area, who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

City replied inside the last 10 minutes, when substitute Jess Dunlop spotted the keeper off the line and lobbed her from 35 yards with a fantastic strike.

First team coach Meg Lawson felt circumstances out of her control were a factor in the defeat, saying: "We were hit by injuries to key members of the squad but we need to start showing up for more than one half.

“It’s a process we all have faith in. It makes this Sunday (v Doncaster Rovers Belles) an even bigger game and we’re up for it.”