BRADFORD City Women's hopes of avoiding relegation were dealt a hammer blow on Sunday as they crashed to a 5-1 defeat away at Doncaster Rovers Belles.

Going into the weekend's games, the Belles sat one place and three points above the Bantams in the FA Women's Northern Premier Division.

City were looking for a strong performance to close down their nearest rivals and although they started strongly, they were pegged back by a 15th minute goal from the hosts.

Shirley Murphy equalised for the Bantams a couple of minutes later and the game remained in the balance until Doncaster regained the lead in the 36th minute.

City came out for the second half looking for an immediate response, but instead the hosts ran away with the game with three further unanswered goals.

Coach Toni Butcher admitted her side switched off and were caught cold.

She lamented: “Our first half performance finally started to match how we have been wanting to play. However, a lapse in concentration in the second half saw us concede three in 15 minutes.

"It's onwards and upwards for us after that defeat. We have another week on the training field to work hard and try and put it right for this weekend’s cup tie.”

This weekend, the Bantams play host to neighbours Thackley LFC in the second round of the West Riding FA Cup. The winners will travel to either Harrogate Town or Farsley Celtic in the next round.

Off the field, City are looking to recruit a new first team goalkeeping coach. If you are interested, please contact info@bradfordcitywomensfc.co.uk for more details.