IT was a tale of two penalties that stopped Bradford City Women picking up their first win since the opening day of the season.

However, City did end their nine-match losing run in the FA Women’s National League Division One North thanks to a 2-2 draw at home with Chester Le Street.

Chris Hames’ women were under strength again having players unavailable and there were four changes from last Sunday’s squad, both Louise Willoughby and Paris Durrant making their first starts of the season stepping up from the reserves team.

This also left the Bantams with no substitutes so it was going to be vital that everyone put a good shift in.

Bradford took the lead half-way through the first period when Monika Stube was the beneficiary of a great lay off to drill the ball into the net.

The action was lacklustre until the final 10 minutes when the drama begun.

The referee declared a foul on the edge of the area, the opposition player with her back to goal fell to the floor and was awarded a penalty.

Aimee Routledge saved the penalty but could not hold on to the slippery ball and it fell kindly for the attacking team who scored from the rebound.

City did not get down-hearted and within a couple of minutes they were back in front after a great cross from Ellie Prothero to Amelia Hunt, who volleyed in at the near post. However, the action was not over yet as the visitors were given another penalty in the last minute.

The ball bounced up from Zoe Roberts’ foot to hit her arm, this time the spot kick was dispatched.

Bantams boss Hames was happy at the performance but was disappointed with penalties conceded, especially the second which he thought was harsh.

Hames said: “That was proper football today. Two teams, 22 players, fighting for every inch, and both teams wanting the win. I loved it!

“It was by far our best performance so far, full commitment to fight to get what we want out of games.

“The goals were taken excellently, and the two young lasses who came in, both stepped up brilliantly. I’m so proud of everyone.

“I felt we deserved the win, and to have that taken away from us definitely hurt.

“But it’s a good hurt, a hurt that just makes us hungrier for the next game and the next chance to get three points.

“If we give that every week, we will do just fine in our battle.”