BRADFORD City Women's away game at Durham Cestria saw them lose 3-1, and left them teetering on the edge of the relegation zone in the FA Women's National League Division One North.

A late goal from Harriet Jakeman proved to be a mere consolation for the Bantams, and with Barnsley winning 3-0 against rock-bottom Alnwick Town, the West Yorkshire side are now just two points clear of the drop, with two games left.

But any worries over league position paled into comparison ahead of City's match, as it started with a minute's silence for former Newcastle United and Hartlepool United goalkeeper Dominyka Podziute, who sadly passed away last week while on the books at Chester le Street Town.

When the game commenced in the glorious sunshine, Durham took an early lead with a tap in from Nicki Gears after just two minutes.

City got their first chance of the game three minutes later when Charlotte Stuart's through ball found Ellie Prothero, but she was just offside.

After some end-to-end play, Durham earned their second of the game with Gears crossing towards her teammate Lily Crosthwaite for another tap-in past keeper Skye Kirkham.

City tried to retaliate in the 37th minute, but unfortunately Amy Beck's pass to Hope Knight was stopped in its tracks by Durham's keeper.

At the end of the first half, the Bantams Ladies were still 2-0 down.

As the sun continued to shine for the second half, City looked for their first goal of the game.

However, a thunderous strike from Crosthwaite extended Durham's lead to three.

The Bantams enjoyed some possession as they looked for a goal. Finally, after 73 minutes, their work paid off, as Harriet Jakeman lobbed the ball over the Durham keeper for their only goal of the game.

The drama wasn’t over though as just 10 minutes after her goal, Jakeman was sinbinned after disputing a throw-in decision with the referee.

Two minutes later, Bantams substitute Jess Hayes was dragged down in the box as she lined up for a shot, but calls for a penalty were dismissed by the referee.

In the closing minutes of the game, Hayes did score for City, but the linesman's flag was up for offside, as the game ended 3-1.

After the match, City manager Chris Hames said: "It was a tough game and we knew we had to be at our top level to get something from it.

"We started poorly and struggled then to get back into our rhythm in the first half.

"The second half was much better. We could have scored from the off, and probably should have scored at least another to apply more pressure in the closing minutes

"It has to not define us (the result). Our fate is still in our hands and we just have to build on that."

City's penultimate game of the season will be at home to Norton & Stockton Ancients at Bradford (Park Avenue)'s Horsfall ground this coming Sunday.

Back at home in Bradford at the weekend, City's Under-23s ended Leeds United Women's Reserves' six-game winning streak by holding them to a 2-2 draw.

The young Bantams equalised twice with goals from Valeria Martin and Hannah Markey.