AFTER a week of pushbacks, Bradford City Women finally played FA Women's National League Division One North promotion chasers Leeds United Women last night.

And it proved to be a thrilling encounter, with underdogs City coming from behind twice to earn a point with a 3-3 draw.

The derby had to take place at Leeds' Thorpe Arch training grounds after their home stadium in Tadcaster was flooded during Storm Eunice.

The match was played behind closed doors, but spectators were able to watch the game live from home, as the Bantams more than gave the Whites a run for their money.

In fierce winds, rain and sleet, full-back Ellie Prothero gave City an early lead.

She picked up possession after team-mate Amy Beck was brought down and made the most of the referee's advantage to thump the ball past Leeds stopper Lauren Joyce just seven minutes in.

Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived, as a mistake from City led to United’s Kanisha Mae Underdown looping a swirling cross-shot beyond helpless keeper Skye Kirkham.

Underdown soon put Leeds ahead, with the midfielder's wind-assisted long-range strike flying past Kirkham’s outstretched gloves and into the net.

City hit back in the 20th minute, as Charlotte Stuart did a great job getting past the defence and passing the ball to her left to Prothero.

She timed her shot perfectly and smashed the ball into the back of the net, tying the teams up yet again.

Leeds continued to press with the wind on their side and half-an-hour in, City vice-captain Monika Stube gave away a dangerous free-kick.

The shot was badly defended, as birthday girl Olivia Smart stole the ball away from City’s Maisie Norde and fired home to give Leeds the lead once more.

That was the end of the relentless scoring in the first half, but 10 minutes after the break, Beck's storming run saw her brought down in the box.

Stuart took the penalty for City and sent it into the top right corner to make the score 3-3.

City skipper Katy Woodcock and her defence held strong thereafter as Leeds pushed for a fourth goal, routinely catching their opponents out with clever offside traps.

There was some controversy late on, with Stuart perhaps fortunate not to be penalised for a handball in the box, but the Bantams got away with that one, and grabbed a precious share of the spoils to move a point clear of the bottom three.

At the full-time whistle, City head coach Chris Hames said: “We played in some really tough conditions. The goals we conceded were disappointing, but they were pot shots that the conditions played a hand in in becoming good goals.

“We’ve worked hard on becoming a tactically fluid team. I thought our approach was good tonight, but we also have strengths in areas that we can play to on Sunday.”

Bradford City Women will come face to face with Leeds again on Sunday at Thorpe Arch in the West Riding County Cup semi-finals.