BRADFORD City Women welcomed Leeds United Women for a hotly-anticipated West Yorkshire derby in the FA Women's National League Division One North last night, and the game ended honours even.

It was a slow start for both teams on a slippery surface, but on 25 minutes, City winger Charlotte Gill was brought down from behind in the Leeds area, earning her side a penalty.

It was a great chance for the Bantams to take the lead but Sophie Hawkins blazed over from 12 yards, letting United off the hook.

Leeds then began to to take control and on 35 minutes, they were given a penalty of their own.

The offence seemed to clearly be outside the area, but with the weather making visibility poor, the referee gave an honest decision, having thought the foul occurred inside the 18-yard box.

Rebecca Hunt stepped up and scored from the spot, giving Leeds the lead.

As the half was coming to a close, the referee awarded a third penalty, this time against a City player for a suspected swinging arm in the area, as Leeds forward Laura Bartup fell to the floor holding her face.

But the referee’s assistant consulted with the referee and the decision was reversed, after the action was deemed to be unintentional.

The second half saw City grow into the game and gradually get on top. Chances came for Hawkins and Gill and the hosts looked particularly dangerous from set-pieces.

The equaliser came in the 83rd minute, when a Zoe Roberts free kick was fumbled by the Leeds keeper into the path of substitute Harriet Jakeman, who prodded the ball home.

Although the Bantams pressed for the winner, the game finished 1-1.

Over 100 spectators turned up on the night, City's biggest crowd of the season by far.

City manager Chris Hames said afterwards: “Every player on that pitch put 110 per cent into their performance, their efforts, and that led to some great moments, for both teams.

“First half we had to do a lot of our stuff without the ball, and I think we did really well to limit them to very few clear cut chances.

“Second half, I thought we were superb, and deserved to at least get something out of the match. We kept plugging away at it and we ultimately got some reward.

“We’re still only three games into our season, we are struggling to get any rhythm, any momentum, in what we are wanting to do because of that, and yet still the performances are improving - so for me we have to look at that as a positive.

“We’ve had three close contests now, and in the context of each game they are really promising results, but now it’s about taking that next step and going for more, which I know this group can do.”