Mick Mulhern's response demand as Middlesbrough Women's unbeaten start to the season ended

Mick Mulhern demanded a response from his Middlesbrough Women's side as their unbeaten start to the season came to a disappointing end at Doncaster Belles.

Boro Women had enjoyed a superb start to the season, winning six of their opening eight games while also advancing to the second round of the FA Cup and quarter finals of the League Cup. But that unbeaten start ended with Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Doncaster Belles.

Jasmine Saxton bagged a brace with Arianne Parnham added the other, as Mulhern described it as one of the worst performances of his time in charge. Mulhern said: “I’m very, very disappointed. You can’t control certain things, we can control what we do and unfortunately it was one of those days where our decision-making wasn’t great. It happens, but hopefully that won’t define us.

READ MORE:£225m more earmarked for development of 750-job Teesside wind power factory

READ MORE:CCTV images released after hundreds of pounds of stock stolen from popular North-east farm shop

"It shouldn’t define us, and I’m not looking for a response next week in training, through to the next game on Sunday. We’ve never been as bad as that. It’s disappointing, but we have to react. That’s what good teams do. As long as we learn from it, that’s the important thing.”

On the game more specifically, he continued: “The third goal doesn’t really matter. It’s just one of those where you’re chasing the game and desperately trying to get back into it and you get caught. But the second goal, I’m disappointed with what we did in the box.

"We’d had chances before that to get back in the game, but it becomes difficult from there. We need to go away and shore things up at the back and look to play football in the right areas where we can cause them more problems.

"We’ll have a look, and obviously the girls have to reflect on their performances. But we’ve got to just hope it’s a one off having been so, so good this season. It happens.”

Though beaten, Boro did remain top of the National League First Division, with thanks to Leeds United. They moved joint-second with Chorley and Cheadle Town by beating Chorley 3-2 to leave the three sides one point behind Boro Women.

Mulhern's side have a game in hand over Chorley and Cheadle too, which could be vital in a division where only the league champions win promotion. As the Boro Women boss demands a response, they're back on home turf on Sunday as they host Barnsley Women at Stockton Town. As with every home game, under-16s and Boro season card holders can attend for free, with tickets £5 otherwise.