SUNDAY saw another away day for the Bantams Women and another artificial pitch due to Bolton’s normal venue suffering from the weather. City's injuries left them under strength and interim coach Charlotte Stuart had limited options to choose from in their 3-0 defeat.

This FA Women's National League Division One North game began with Bolton making good use of the wide pitch and with the sun coming down, it was hard to pick up their crosses coming in.

They quickly profited. A ball delivered from the left winger wasn’t cleared and it was prodded home from five yards out.

The hosts doubled their lead after the referee gave a free kick that was chipped over the defence and squeezed home between the post and keeper.

Bolton’s final goal was one of the most unusual ones City had conceded for some time.

From a corner, the ball was headed towards the goal, but it was cleared from under the bar by a combination of left back Beth Shepherd and keeper Aimee Routledge.

The referee’s assistant had his flag raised, but with Routledge preparing to restart, thinking offside had been given, she was told the flag was up due to the ball crossing the line.

The second half saw Zoe Roberts and Gemma White come on to try gain control of the midfield.

This changed the game and now it was City on top, pushing Bolton back.

Their dominance increased as the half wore on and the pressure told, as a Bolton player lashed out at City defender Katy Woodcock and saw red.

Outnumbered and under attack, the Bolton keeper was the only reason the score wasn’t closer, pulling off a couple of fine saves.

City are at home to Leeds United on Thursday in the league and will hope to take the second half performance here as a starting point for that game.