BRADFORD City Women almost snatched a point in their derby with Leeds United on Sunday, but fell just short in losing 3-2.

This FA Women's National League Division One North exploded into life after the break, with all five goals scored in a dramatic 20-minute period in the second half.

It was a battling effort from City, but they remain three points from safety in 11th place, while Leeds move up to fifth with the victory.

In a scrappy first half, the only chance for the Bantams went the way of experienced midfielder Charlotte Stuart, but her free-kick was easily saved by Carrie Brown.

Leeds came closer to breaking the deadlock, but found City keeper Tiffany Whelan in fine form.

She saved from Jess Rousseau with her feet, before turning an Abbie Brown strike past the post.

It was a remarkably different game after the break, and the Bantams should have taken the lead seven minutes into the second half.

Simpson scuffed a clearance straight to Jess Watkins, but the City forward could only hit the post with the goal at her mercy.

That miss proved fatal, with recently-introduced substitute Amy Woodruff opening the scoring for Leeds on the hour mark.

She got across her marker from Macy Ellis' cross, and flicked the ball beyond Whelan into the bottom corner.

Rousseau crashed in an effort off the post to double the home side's lead just three minutes later.

She quickly added her second of the game, and Leeds' third, when she lobbed the ball beyond Whelan from Danielle Whitham's lofted pass.

That made it three goals in six minutes for the hosts, but the Bantams recovered well.

Almost immediately, Stuart pulled a goal back when she ghosted into the box to nod a cross beyond Simpson and into the net.

Rousseau came agonisingly close on two occasions to sealing her hat-trick, but was denied, first by the post, and then by the feet of Whelan.

Instead, City halved the deficit with 10 minutes to go.

The in-form Arianne Parnham, who netted twice in City's vital 2-1 win at Chorley earlier this month, danced into the box before putting the ball beyond Simpson for a superb solo goal.

But the Bantams struggled to fashion the chance they needed to equalise, and came away from the So-Trak Stadium empty-handed.

Their next league game is a crucial one at rock-bottom Merseyrail this Sunday, where the Bantams could move out of the relegation zone with victory.

Leeds are in the FAWNL Plate final this weekend, as they take on Stourbridge at Solihull Moors’ ARMCO Arena.

They have sacrificed another final though, on Thursday, May 11.

Citing fixture congestion, they have pulled out of their West Riding Women’s County Cup semi-final against their own Under-21 side.

That means the Leeds youngsters have a walkover into the showpiece, where they will face holders Brighouse Town.

Brig's ladies confirmed their spot in the final on Sunday, as two goals from Monique Watson helped them to a 4-0 win over Ossett United.

Sixteen-year-old Anna Clayton also got on the scoresheet, as did Kayleigh Bamforth.

Brighouse are back in FAWNL Northern Premier Division action on the first weekend of April.

They visit the side immediately above them in the table, fourth-placed Derby County.