Cadbury Heath 3, Bradford Town 0

MARK Hodkinson hopes the Wilts Senior Cup clash with Hellenic League outfit Highworth Town tomorrow will provide the turning point in Bradford's season.

The Trowbridge Road club slumped to a fifth consecutive league defeat on Saturday and Hodkinson hopes the cup will bring a welcome distraction.

"We need a spark to get us going again," he said.

"Hopefully this cup game could transform our fortunes because the players don't have to worry about the league table this week.

"It will be a tough test against Highworth but we have to believe it's a game we can win. We just need to be upbeat and positive about it."

Hodkinson revealed he is putting on a brave face at the moment following a dismal run of defeats, which date back to the 8-0 hammering by Truro City on September 9.

The Bradford boss claims he is doing everything in his power to turn things around.

"I went to a couple of Sunday league matches this week in an effort to uncover any star players," he said.

"It's no secret that we need to bring a few players in, but the best players all want paying.

"I've got a good group of lads at Bradford, but they just need to pick their chins off the floor. We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and play our way out of this rough patch."

Bradford dominated the opening exchanges against Cadbury on Saturday but failed to convert pressure into goals.

Dave Scott put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after Joe Lott was fouled in the box.

Andy Weeks doubled the home side's advantage four minutes later when he rose unchallenged to head home Mark Fear's cross.

Leon Maloney made the points safe for Cadbury with a clinical finish minutes from the end after Bradford failed to clear their lines.

"On the balance of play I don't think we deserved to lose, but we were very sloppy at the back," said Hodkinson.

"At the moment we are making stupid mistakes and at this level you get punished for that.

"The effort was much better than last week and the players battled hard to the end, but it's just not going for them at the moment.

"It's frustrating because I don't know what more me and Andy (O'Pray, assistant manager) can do. We just need to keep spirits high and hopefully our luck will change on the pitch."