BRADFORD City Women's chase for second spot was dealt a considerable setback on Sunday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

A slow start would ultimately cost City in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division clash, as they fell behind to an own goal after just four minutes.

Laura Elford equalised on her return from injury, but Bianca Owens' 16th of the season gave Boro a slender win and maintained the hosts' status as favourites for second spot.

"It's a hard result to take as we felt we owed them one after our defeat to them earlier this season," said City's number three Shauna Legge.

"I think we were unfortunate to concede an own goal so early on. It obviously wasn't the best start we could have had to the game.

"Maybe we lacked the sharpness we have shown in previous games, and it cost us."

It was City's first competitive outing for over a month, and Boro were quick to take advantage as they aimed to bounce back from a 5-1 defeat to leaders Blackburn.

And while the Bantams dealt with the first setback, they were unable to produce a similar fight-back in the second half after falling behind again.

"The formations we played were very different. Theirs' allowed us to have time on the ball that you wouldn't usually have in the final third, which made us play differently," said Legge.

But despite the space, City struggled to create chances. Efforts from range by Charlotte Stuart and Abi Lee were the only noteworthy attempts as the game drew to a close.

"The game could have gone either way, but it wasn't happening for us in the final third," Legge said. "We wanted the three points but we knew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park."

But with five league games to go – plus a huge clash with Guiseley in the semi-finals of the County Cup – City's focus is on bouncing back, not wallowing in defeat.

"We knew in our last six league games there would be ups and downs," said Legge. "We just need to put it right going forward and finish the season in the best possible position."