BRADFORD Dragons have suffered a third defeat on the bounce – but at least their latest English Division One defeat came against leaders Team Northumbria.

It was the fourth meeting against the north-easterners this season, who won this league clash 79-73, following victories in the National Trophy pool stage and the National Cup quarter-finals.

Ricky Fetske lost the tip-off to Jack Preston but blocked his subsequent shot, and Bradford then took the lead via two free-throws from Richards Sulcs, who was fouled in the act of shooting.

The Dragons led 18-13, forcing Northumbria coach Mark Steutel into calling a time-out, but Bradford's shooting then lacked precision, the ball bouncing off the rim numerous times as they only added a further point up to the end of the first quarter, with Northumbria leading 20-19.

Technical fouls early in the second quarter caused Chris Mellor to call a Dragons' time-out two minutes in, when they trailed 28-23, but the lack of accuracy in shooting continued to plague the hosts, who were 42-29 behind before thing switched around, with Northumbria only 44-40 ahead at half-time.

Bradford edged a low-scoring third quarter, but were still 57-55 down at the end of it.

However, coming out in determined mood, the Dragons levelled via a Sulcs' reverse twist after a weaving run, and even led 65-61, prompting another Steutel time-out.

The chat had the desired effect on the visitors, who went in front 67-66.

Eisley Swaine then sank a two-pointer to level the scores at 73-73, only for them to be scrubbed for a charging foul.

Northumbria then scored at the other end to grow the advantage to four points.

However, that wasn't the defining moment as, with 20 seconds left, the normally reliable Fetske missed both of his free-throws, which would have tied the scores at 75-75.

Bradford were then forced into fouling to regain possession, but Northumbria did not squander their opportunities from the free-throw line or in open play in the final seconds.

Sulcs topped Bradford's scoring chart with 24 points, also clocking up an impressive 17 rebounds for a double-double.

Fetske bagged 22 and Marcus Gooding, who had a quiet game by his own high standards contributed 12.

For Team Northumbria, Malcolm Smith matched Sulcs’ 24 points, closely followed by Blayne Freckleton (19) and Siman Stewart (18).

Mellor said: “We played hard and had our chances, but we missed some foul shots down the end and allowed too many points inside the key at crucial moments.”

The seventh-placed Dragons face another tough fixture on Sunday at fifth-placed Loughborough Students Riders (4pm).

The action returns to the Dragons' Den on Saturday, March 4 against Essex Leopards (6.15pm).

Dragons’ under-18s lost 68-57 at Leeds Tigers on Saturday, while, in a double header at Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College, the under-16s beat York Eagles 111-55 and the under-14s defeated Lancashire Spinners Bury 79-73.

On Sunday, the under-16s travelled to East Durham Lions and won 113-26.