A rejuvenated Bradford City Womem fought back to earn a creditable 2-2 draw at home to Norton & Stockton Ancients.
After an enforced two-week break due to COVID-19 concerns, Chris Hames' side shared the spoils after four first-half goals at Eccleshill United's Mitton Group Stadium.
Hannah Richards was a late introduction to the line-up, called up from the bench to make her debut in goal, as Aimee Routledge was injured during the warm up.
City were a goal down after 21 minutes, when the visitors’ top scorer, Bianca Owens, scored from the spot - after what appeared to be a trip in the box by Bantams defender Tori Thomas.
Then, on the half-hour mark, Shannon Reed’s cross-cum-shot looped over Richards to double Norton’s lead.
The hosts, with renewed energy and determination, had pulled a goal back within three minutes of falling two behind - through Keegan Lambert.
A trademark Zoe Roberts in-swinging free-kick was headed into the path of the forward who slotted home - inside the far post - past the onrushing visiting goalkeeper.
City’s equaliser was almost a carbon copy of their first. Again, Roberts sent a free-kick into the box which was headed down for captain Katy Woodcock to thump in from close range.
The second half was fairly uneventful, with both sides fighting for a key breakthrough, but they ultimately cancelled each other out to settle for a point apiece.
Elsewhere, City’s reserves finally began their season, going down 5-0 on the road to a strong Stockport County side.
The Bantams are back in action this Sunday, kicking off their 2020/21 Vitality FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Sunderland West End LFC. The Reserves host Middlesbrough at the club's Woodhouse Grove training base.