Excellent play by captain Luke Watson and Ben Bateson could not rescue Bradford Badgers as they suffered an undeserved 2-1 home defeat to Rotherham.

Watson performed admirably, especially down the left wing, and Bateson in the centre of midfield was well supported by Ethan Hodson and Mathew Stubley.

But although the Badgers had plenty of possession, they could not covert it into a flood of goals.

They should have been three or four up at half-time, with Rotherham managing only one attempt on goal which found the net from a penalty corner.

Rotherham were a little better in the second half and doubled their lead ten minutes in when Katrina Scott was unlucky to see her excellent save fall to an unmarked striker at a tight angle.

But Bradford heads did not drop and they were rewarded with a consolation goal from Kieran Feeley after good approach play by Stubley, Ben Dickerson and Hodson.

Meanwhile, Bradford’s first team continued their push towards the top of Division Two with a 6-2 home win over a hard-working Rotherham side, with Ashton, Hodgson and Hunt sharing the goals.

The second team are in the hunt for promotion after last season’s disappointment of dropping down and thumped hosts Leeds Adel 8-0 in their latest outing.