BRADFORD City Women’s run in the West Riding FA County Cup came to an abrupt end in the gloom at Harrogate Town on Sunday, as the hosts pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory.

City started brightly in this third round tie. Bryony Hanson went close in the very first minute with a low shot that whistled past the Town keeper’s near post.

The Bantams went with a 4-5-1 formation, and the pace of Rosie Gill and Jade Brindle on the wings constantly tested the Harrogate defence.

Gill was particularly lively, keeping the Town goalkeeper on her toes, and hitting the top of the bar in the 23rd minute.

Two minutes later though it was the hosts who took the lead. Sophie Tinson latched onto a loose ball to finish past the diving Aimee Routledge in the City goal.

Bradford continued to push with Jess Dunlop, Zoe Roberts and Maisie Norde all trying their luck from range, but the Town defence held firm.

Just before the break, Harrogate doubled their lead from the spot. The referee controversially awarded the penalty for a push and Tinson coolly fired past Routledge to take Town into the break 2-0 up.

On the hour, Sophie Moulden came on to replace Dunlop in midfield. She was straight into the action and her low shot was one of four City efforts to hit the woodwork during the game.

Maisie Norde limped off with 17 minutes to go, giving a debut to Ellie Edwards, and soon after City were furious not to be awarded a penalty for what they felt was a foul on Brindle.

Two minutes later though, City were awarded a free kick. Hannah Shuttleworth stepped forward and thundered the ball in off the underside of the bar to give the visitors some hope.

For the final 10 minutes, City laid siege to the Harrogate goal, first seeing a close range header cleared off the line, before rattling the bar yet again.

Harrogate held firm in the end, with their narrow win setting up a quarter final tie with Leeds United Reserves in the New Year.