JORDAN Metters’ strike five minutes into the second half was enough to condemn Bradford Town to defeat at home to third-placed Bristol Manor Farm.

The two sides traded penalties in the first half at Trowbridge Road, with Bradford’s Sam Jordan cancelling out Jack Durrant’s opener for the visitors.

Bradford then fell behind again after the restart before both sides were reduced to 10 men. Aaron Cornwell was shown red a late challenge, with a Manor Farm player also given his marching orders for his reaction.

The game then petered out until the closing stages but Bradford were unable to make the most of their opportunities to grab an equaliser.

Bradford boss Paul Shanley was pleased with the performance of a makeshift side and thought they were worthy of a draw.

“They are a good side and probably started the season as favourites to win the league but I think we probably deserved a point,” said Shanley.

“We contained them pretty well but we were struggling for players. We had the bare 11 with three under-18s on the bench.

“We had some really good openings in the first half-hour but ended up falling behind as we gave away a really sloppy penalty.

“We got back in it with a penalty of our own and then their keeper made a really good save from Sam right at the end of the half. If we’d gone in 2-1 up then it’d have been a great turnaround.

“We gave away another sloppy goal but had a really good chance right at the death but their keeper made another top save.”

Bradford have just three league games left this season, starting at home to second-in-the-table Buckland Athletic on Saturday.

Shanley is keen to finish as high as possible but admits attentions are starting to turn to the Wiltshire Senior Cup final against Highworth Town on Wednesday, April 29.

He said: “I think the players are still hungry because they’ve still got cup final places to play for.

“If we can finish in the top six it will be a great achievement. It’s going to be tight but hopefully we can do that, and also get people back fit again in time for the cup final, that’s the main priority from here on in.”