MAYBE the long journey took its toll but Bradford Dragons were beaten 99-86 by London Lituanica in their first English League Division One fixture of the year.

The Lithuanians, who were only formed in 2010 and have been in the league for just five years, finished a respectable fifth in their debut season.

And although they forfeited a fixture in November against Manchester Magic, they are more than capable of testing any side in the division.

The Dragons began with an unfamiliar starting five, with American duo Ricky Fetske and Marcus Gooding warming the bench.

In their place came Eisley Swaine and Antonio Deogratias but the visitors failed to get going in the opening quarter and trailed 32-17 by the end of it.

Five minutes into the second period, Bradford were right back in the mix at 39-37 and the margin remained the same up to half-time, when the hosts led 53-51.

But Lituanica again took control of proceedings after the interval, building up an 82-65 lead by the time the penultimate period finished.

That advantage was increased to 92-71 halfway through the fourth quarter and despite Bradford's efforts to get themselves back into the game, it was too little, too late.

Gooding finished as the game's high scorer with 32 points and Latvian Rihards Sulcs added 20 points, while home-grown Jermayne Laing contributed 18. For Lituanica, Mantas Guzys landed 28 and Ausridas Petraitis 23.

Bradford head coach Chris Mellor pulled no punches after the game as he said: "We played one good quarter and three bad ones.

"We turned the ball over more than in any game this season, which led to 31 points for them, and we just didn't compete in the second half to give ourselves any chance of winning."

Despite the defeat, Bradford retained fifth place in the table, although several teams who have games in hand are queueing up to take that slot from them.

The Dragons must now regroup for their home fixture against high-flying Derby Trailblazers on Saturday (6.15), with the hosts seeking revenge for a one-point defeat on the opening day of the season.

Yet Derby's confidence will have been boosted by beating leaders Team Northumbria on Sunday.

Discounted tickets for what is Bradford's only home fixture in January can be purchased in advance via the Bradford Dragons' website or full-priced tickets will be available on the door.

In other fixtures, the Dragons' under-18s lost 54-48 at Tees Valley Mohawks but still lead the North East division with 12 wins and two defeats.

The under-16s won 61-16 at Stockport Falcons II and are third in the North West II, just behind Manchester Magic II and Lancashire Spinners Bury.