Bradford City Women fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers in the FA Women’s National League.
Contested on another artificial surface, again, due to a waterlogged pitch, the Bantams were blown away by three first-half strikes from their Lancashire opponents.
The Trotters made a strong start - making good use of the wide pitch - and took the lead early on.
The home side profited from their threatening wing play as a ball came in from the left which was not cleared, allowing it to be prodded home from 5 yards out.
Bolton doubled their lead after the referee gave a free-kick in the centre circle which was chipped over the defence and squeezed home, just inside the post.
Wanderers’ final goal of the game was one of the most unusual ones City had conceded, for some time.
From a corner, the ball was headed towards goal and cleared from under the crossbar by a combination of left-back Beth Shepherd and goalkeeper Aimee Routledge.
The referee’s assistant had his flag up and, thinking the flag was up for offside, Routledge put the ball on the floor to restart the game, only to be told the flag was up due to the ball crossing the line.
The introduction of substitutes Zoe Roberts and Gemma White - after the interval - saw City take the front foot and gain control of the midfield.
With the Bantams now dominant, the pressure on their hosts told, with one of their players being dismissed after lashing out at Katy Woodcock.
Outnumbered and under pressure, the Bolton goalkeeper made several fine saves to keep her side in the game, keeping City’s late attempts at bay.