BRADFORD City crashed out of the SSE Women's FA Cup at the first attempt after a 7-1 defeat at local rivals Huddersfield Town.

Huddersfield, who sit second in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division, took a second-minute lead as Kate Mallin fired past Aimee Routledge.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure as City - who had been dealt further bad news during the week with news defender Jenny Clark and winger Rosie Gill were sidelined with injury - struggled to find any rhythm on the heavy pitch.

In the 11th minute Town doubled their lead as Sarah Dobby’s overhead kick dropped into the far corner as City failed to clear their lines.

Mallin scored her second with another long range effort, then a minute later former Bantam Laura Elford put Huddersfield 4-0 up.

Sophie Moulden went close for City but was denied by a fine save before Lucy Sowerby rubbed further salt into the wounds with a fifth and Mallin completed her hat-trick.

The second half was an entirely different story. There was a determination about the Bantams that has seldom been seen this season.

Jess Dunlop made way for Bryony Hanson after picking up a knock in the first half, and it was Hanson’s link-up play with Shirley Murphy that had Town on the back foot early in the second period.

Huddersfield continued to put the City goal under almost constant siege, with countless long range efforts, but skipper Harriet Jakeman marshalled her players well.

Player of the match Routledge in the City goal made a number of excellent saves, including a reflex tip onto the bar when Huddersfield looked certain to score.

A number of crunching tackles from Zoe Roberts and Hannah Shuttleworth summed up City’s determination to go down fighting.

The Bantams defence was finally breached again in the 80th minute as Arianne Parnham - another former City player – rounded the keeper to fire into an empty net.

The visitors had the final word though, with Zoe Roberts marking her return with a superb free-kick that found the top corner for a well-deserved consolation.

Although disappointed by the result, coach Meg Lawson was delighted with her team’s second-half performance.

She said: “In the first half we failed to problem-solve within the game, but the second half was the best we’ve played (all season).

"Everyone applied themselves and it didn’t feel like we’d just been beaten 7-1 in the changing room afterwards. Credit to the players who apply themselves week in, week out. We’re going to look to build on this for next weekend’s game against Derby. We’ve set our standard with that second half."

City team: Routledge, Roberts, Norde, Ord (Donnan, 73), Jakeman, Wilson, Shuttleworth, Moulden, Brindle, Dunlop (Hanson, 46), Murphy.

Meanwhile City’s Development side lost 5-0 to Middlesbrough at Rawdon Meadows. The Bantams finished the game with 10 players after Khloe Cooper was given a straight red card.

Coach Luke Norris said: “Despite the challenges that occurred prior to and during the game, the players remained focused and showed great attitude throughout.

"We went down to 10 players early on, but adapted well and frustrated Middlesbrough while also creating chances, including hitting the bar and seeing a shot cleared off the line.

"I saw plenty of positives to build on for future games."