BRADFORD continued their improvement with a 2-2 draw at Ben Rhydding Seconds in the Yorkshire Men's Premier Division.
The traditional post-Christmas fixture was played in bitter cold but the visitors started well, Adam Ashton having a shot beaten away.
At the other end, Danny Hardaker made the first of many fine saves, while Simon Hayes cleared the ball from the goal-line.
Kasim Mughal fizzed a shot just wide of the goal for Bradford but the hosts took the lead just before the interval via Robbie Studholme, capitalising on a defensive error.
However, the visitors began the second half well, James Hunt and Ashton going close before the former player's pacy cross was collected by Mughal, who beat a defender and delicately lifted the ball over the keeper to equalise.
Hardaker dived high to his right to make a notable save as Ben Rhydding forced a series of short corners but the home side regained the lead in controversial circumstances.
Guy Sutcliffe's brave block on the edge of the D was ruled as a short corner, from which the hosts scored via Andy Lorimer.
Nevertheless, a powerful drag-flick by man of the match Mughal made it 2-2 with little time left, taking Bradford's record to two wins, a draw and a narrow defeat in their last four matches as they stayed third from bottom, one place above the relegation berths.
In Division Four North, Bingley Bees trailed 3-1 against Bradford Seconds at Bradford Girls' Grammar School and clawed their way back to 3-3 with two early goals in the second half.
They also had parity at 4-4 before losing 6-4, with York University's 6-2 win over Halifax dropping the Bees back into the relegation zone.
In the Men's Development League, Bingley Bees Seconds lost 8-3 against another youthful side in City of York Ninths at Bradford Grammar School in what was a decent-quality encounter.
Bingley Bees Ladies' first team lost 3-0 against fifth-placed Thirsk at Bradford Grammar School in the Premier Division to stay second from bottom.
Bees Seconds, who are also second bottom, went down 7-0 against leaders Thirsk Seconds at Thirsk Comprehensive School in Division Four.
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