BRADFORD City earned a madcap 4-4 draw at home to Alnwick Town Juniors on Sunday, but those two points dropped could spell the end of their promotion hopes.

Emily Senior’s Bantams are looking to go straight back up after being relegated from the FA Women’s National League Division One North at the end of last season.

And after a rocky period heading into Christmas, they have soared in the New Year and remain unbeaten in 2024.

But there are several other strong teams in the North East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division, so while the Bantams had shot up from mid-table to top spot in the space of a few weeks, they had played more games than their rivals.

That essentially means they have had to keep winning to stay in the thick of the title hunt, but these disappointing dropped points against Alnwick, who have only won four of their 14 league games, mean they now sit four points off top two Spennymoor and Barnsley, with the latter having a game in hand on now fourth-placed City.

On top of that, third-placed Wallsend are currently two points ahead of the Bantams, having played three less matches.

South Shields and Sunderland West End are fifth and sixth, but both are only a point off fourth and both have only played 16 games so far, as opposed to City’s 18.

Both City and Alnwick had early half-chances at Horsfall on Sunday, with the visitors going ahead when a shot rebounded off the post and in off the back of luckless keeper Tiffany Whelan, who had dived in an attempt to save the initial effort.

The next clearcut opportunity resulted in an equaliser for the Bantams, as Aaliyah Nolan finished off a slick passing move midway through the first half.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Aaliyah Nolan caused the Alnwick defence problems all afternoon on Sunday.Aaliyah Nolan caused the Alnwick defence problems all afternoon on Sunday. (Image: Alex Daniel.)

It was Alnwick who took a 2-1 lead into the break, with a looping effort beating Whelan on 42 minutes after City had gifted the visitors the ball in a dangerous position.

But the Bantams roared out of the blocks after half-time, Kanisha Underdown bulleting home a header from Hannah Markey’s corner almost instantly.

And City went 3-2 ahead with a penalty on 51 minutes, after Nolan had been brought down by the keeper racing on to Markey’s through ball.

Underdown stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick to give City their first lead of the match.

But Alnwick drew level just after the hour mark, scoring with a close-range effort after the Bantams had been caught out by a clever run.

That goal seemed to inspire the visitors, as they laid siege to Whelan’s goal.

A free-kick crashed back off the crossbar, before they took the lead for the third time in the match with 12 minutes to go.

But two minutes into second half stoppage-time, City skipper Monika Stube won a penalty for her side.

The nerveless Underdown stepped up and scored, sealing a point for City and her hat-trick.

The Bantams have a free weekend coming up now, with their next game an NERWFL League Cup quarter-final at home to Barnsley on Sunday, April 14.