BRADFORD City Women’s luck was out on Sunday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division.

Charlotte Broad’s last minute winner was tough to take for a City side who played the final 20 minutes with defender Paige Crosby in net, after a suspected ACL injury to goalkeeper Charlotte Oates.

The circumstances forced midfielder Ellie Olds into centre-back on her return from injury, and the makeshift spine were caught out with the final kick of the game.

“Luck certainly wasn’t on our side,” said player-manager Charlotte Stuart.

“We deserved more from the game. We pinned Forest in their half in the second half, retaining the majority of possession but we couldn't find the back of the net.

“We hit the crossbar twice, the post and had two shots cleared of the line – it just wasn't our day.

“And how football goes if you don't take your chances, you get punished. We pushed for the winner, they caught us on the break and scored with the last kick of the game.

“It was just one of those days where we did everything to get the win apart from find the back of net. You have to score to win games.”

Forest took the lead midway through the first half with a cool finish from Andi Bell, but Laura Elford’s finish allowed City to equalise just moments after conceding.

The striker’s 11th of the season spurred City on as they peppered the home goal, only to be denied by the woodwork on numerous occasions – or by a defiant Forest back line.

But the Bantams’ push for a winner would be their downfall when they were caught out in stoppage-time.

Outnumbered at the back, the visitors were punished when Broad slotted past stand-in stopper Crosby to win it.

It’s two weeks until City play again, but Stuart was unable to deliver optimism that Oates may be fit to face Fylde at the beginning of next month.

“It looks like she has damaged her ACL and cartilage, but we will know more when she has her scan,” she said.

With a cup semi-final in April, City will be desperate to have their number one and captain available. But it seems likely that reserve team stopper Katie Bailey will be adding to her two first team appearances before the season is out.