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.