BRADFORD City Womens Football Club (WFC) were left with a bitter taste after they fell to a second double-digit defeat in a row.

The influence of new Bantams boss, Steve Winterburn, was clear in City's set-up and pressing play but it was a "Maradona" goal that marred the tie against Derby County for the manager.

His side lost 10-0 to the Ewes, but Bradford enjoyed a lot of possession early on.

It took until the 15th minute before the floodgates open, with three Derby goals in seven minutes.

Nikki Ledge got the first, followed three minutes later by a deflected goal which left City keeper Aimee Routledge stranded.

Then on 22 minutes Camilla Newton won and converted a penalty after an apparent trip by Rosie Gill in the box.

City continued to press despite the setback and held their shape well - their 17-year-old captain Maisie Norde leading by example with a solid display at the back, while Routledge defended her goal resolutely.

Bradford came close to pulling a goal back as Falone Sumaili was clean through on goal, only to fall victim to a belated offside call.

At the start of the second half, Sumaili was again caught beyond the last defender after a delightful through ball from Sophie Moulden put her one-on-one with the Derby keeper.

After that City looked to tire on the heavy pitch, and Derby’s experienced players took advantage.

First Moriah McIntosh fired past Routledge on 49 minutes, before Lauren Cresswell’s long range effort found the corner of the City net.

On the hour Derby made it six when Emily Joyce bagged from the edge of the area.

Derby continued to press, and after 74 minutes Cara Newton curled in yet another goal from distance.

As the sun dropped, Winterburn made his third change of the afternoon, bringing on under-18 graduate Ellie Edwards to replace Jen Clark, who had played most of the game with a torn muscle.

The Bantams looked to tighten up, but with three minutes remaining Watson scored her second, before substitute Andi Bell scored the first of her late brace with what appeared to be a diving header, but had most of the Bradford players, coaches and supporters appealing for handball.

On the stroke of full time Bell scored her second and Derby’s 10th with a tap-in after appearing to knock the ball out of Routledge’s hands leave herself with an open goal.

City manager Steve Winterburn said: "Despite another heavy defeat I can safely say the players gave their all and more.

"Without trying not to repeat myself every week about the situation we find ourselves in, we as one team and one club have accepted our position, our pride and the future is what we are playing for now and I am very proud of the players for their attitude before, during and at the final whistle today.

"The game itself showed some small but encouraging improvements from last week even though one of our key players was missing.

"The game was played in a good spirit up until it was marred by a goal in the last 10 minutes that can only be described as a Maradona hand of god goal.

"This was missed by the referee and despite a lengthy conversation with the linesman the goal was given.

"Apparently the sun was low and he couldn’t be sure if she used a hand or not but trust me it was nothing but a deliberate hand ball as her outstretched arm pushed the ball as she realised her attempted diving header wasn’t going to have the desired effect.

"This was a bit too much for the exhausted City players to stomach and it hurt.

"The players and I will battle on and we look forward to next week’s training and match where we can and will get better week by week."

City are back at home this coming weekend, hosting fourth-placed Stoke City, whose last game was a 13-0 victory in the Staffordshire FA Ladies Challenge Cup.

Bradford City Line-up: Aimee Routledge, Zoe Roberts, Jen Clark (Ellie Edwards, 77), Maisie Norde (c), Khloe Cooper, Charlotte Sales, Rosie Gill (Jess Dunlop, 68), Sophie Moulden, Hannah Shuttleworth, Kate Donnan (Paris Durrant, 54), Falone Sumaili