COUNTY Cup winners Bradford City can hope for no better than a fourth place finish in the FA Women's Premier League (North) after a disappointing 4-2 defeat at home to an increasingly-successful Blackburn Rovers side.

Blackburn arrived at Thackley full of confidence and with an outside chance of the title. Two goals in the first ten minutes left City with a mountain to climb and they didn't manage it. An own goal kept them in the game but when Molly Sharpe finally found the net to make it 4-2, the game was already lost.

While Blackburn beat joint leaders Sheffield in midweek to put them into title contention, City host Nottingham Forest tomorrow hoping for a win to help hang on to fourth place.

In Division One (North), Guiseley Vixens face a make or break fixture at current leaders Liverpool Marshalls Feds knowing victory here, and in the two remaining games, will give them the title and promotion to the top flight.

Manager John Shirt and head coach Julie Grundy are facing the biggest managerial challenge as they prepare their side for what is virtually a cup final. A victory for Liverpool will give them the title.

In the reserve division, City reserves, who are favourites to end the season as champions, found bottom club Huddersfield in determined mood as their derby clash ended in an all too close 5-4 win for the Bantams.

Abi Barker (3), Zoe Roberts and Aqsa Mushtaq put City 5-2 up but Town hit back late on to give the visitors a scare. A point at Guiseley Vixens reserves at Eccleshill United tomorrow will give City the title.

Brighouse Town have lost out to Hull City in the North East Regional League title race, Hull winning 6-1 at Wakefield in their last game, but they can still pip Barnsley to the runners-up spot if they win their last three games, starting with a visit from bottom club Tynedale tomorrow.

The West Riding League Premier Division title has gone to Harrogate Railway and they will be hoping to celebrate in style when they visit bottom club Keighley Oaks in their final game tomorrow. Bradford Park Avenue take on third-placed Hemsworth in their penultimate game, still hoping to pull clear of second bottom spot.

Division Two champions Bradford City A take on Ilkley Town in their final league game but still have a League Shield final to play next month.