Chard Town 4, Bradford Town 1 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chard Town 4, Bradford Town 1

BRADFORD boss Mark Hodkinson has warned his Bradford Town side they are in desperate need of league wins after watching them crash out of the Les Phillips Cup on Wednesday night.

The Bradford manager insisted the score flattered Chard and was quick to turn his attention on their forthcoming Toolstation League Division One campaign.

Saturday's league defeat at Larkhall was Bradford's first in eight games but with five draws coming in that run, Hodkinson admits wins are becoming increasingly important.

He said: "We have scored in nearly every game but really we have had the chances to score more than we are. We are playing well but not earning the points we deserve.

"We go to Longwell Green tomorrow and we desperately need the three points. We don't want to get dragged into a relegation battle and we all know it is important that we are not in the bottom three around Christmas.

"If we can pick up a couple of wins then we will move up towards midtable. The league is that tight at the moment."

Taking advantage of their infamous sloping pitch, Chard started brightly and raced into an early two goal lead. John Scott pulled one back for the visitors but Chard struck again on the stroker of half time.

Bradford battled bravely after the break and dominated much of the 45 minutes, but a mixture of good goalkeeping and wasteful finishing saw Bradford unable to pull themselves back into the game as Chard increased the deficit."