BRADFORD City Women played a gruelling match against Boldmere at home in the FA Women's National League Plate, drawing 3-3 before a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat in the subsequent penalty shootout.

City started the game off looking dominant, with Monika Stube going close with a shot at goal 13 minutes in.

However, it was Boldmere who opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, catching City on the counter-attack with the home defence in disarray.

Just eight minutes later they took their lead up by two, as the ball curved over keeper Hannah Richards and into the goal.

The Bantams were determined to fight back and on 39 minutes they too found the net.

After a messy attack, the ball eventually found Stube, who slammed the ball home.

Tempers began to flare between the two teams as they both traded bad tackles and angry shouts, with the half-time whistle probably coming at the right time.

After the break, one Boldmere player was booked after bringing her boot dangerously close to the face of Bantams skipper Katy Woodcock.

The visitors were then awarded a penalty for a soft tackle, but the taker's effort soared over the bar.

Another yellow card was dished out, this time to the Bantams' Harriet Jakeman, before Zoe Roberts was sin-binned for the second time this season.

With 10 minutes to go, veteran player/coach Charlotte Stuart got taken down on the edge of the box, giving City a free-kick.

Now back on the pitch, Roberts smashed the ball into the top left corner, giving the Bantams ladies the equaliser.

After six tense minutes of added time, the game went into extra-time.

The Bantams took a hit early on, as less than a minute into the additional period, Boldmere fired home their third from long-range.

To make matters worse, Jakeman took down a visiting midfielder, and picked up her second yellow card to be dismissed.

Despite only having 10 players, the Bantams kept going, and they were rewarded with a penalty in the second half of extra-time.

Stuart looked composed in front of the goal and sent the ball beautifully into the net, levelling the scores once more.

However, neither team could find the net again, meaning the game would be decided on penalties.

Keeper Richards looked calm in the shootout, but she was unlucky, and Boldmere came out on top.

Charlotte Gill and Woodcock's successful spot-kicks were not enough, as Boldmere scored four of their five, taking Bradford out of the Plate.

City's Women are in FA Cup first round action this Sunday, as they visit Cheadle Town Stingers down in Greater Manchester.