Sacked by the club just weeks ago, Gunnar Halle struck the goal that kept other former players from

tasting cup glory.

City's old boys were denied a place in the Masters of Football regional final after going down 4-0 to Leeds United in a disappointing night at the Sheffield Arena.

With a side featuring a variety of waistlines but no small measure of skill, the over-35's side won only once in three fast-paced encounters.

At the autograph hunter-filled venue, the collection of former Bantams failed to convince in their role as tournament favourites.

The skills that took them to a final showdown with Liverpool last year were absent as Sheffield United took the points.

John Taylor, now manager at Cambridge United, smashed in a left-foot drive to give his side the lead but former Wimbledon star Glyn Hodges equalised two minutes later.

First Tony Philliskirk and then Ian Benjamin took the game away from City despite current assistant manager Ian Banks smashing home a consolation.

Sprightly Peter Beagrie, still playing at Scunthorpe, hit the bar as did Lee Sinnott but Bradford couldn't get back into it.

Things did click, however, for the clash with a Sheffield Wednesday side featuring evergreen ball wizard Chris Waddle.

But his mercurial skills couldn't lift the home side and a clever backheel from Taylor, a comedy own goal by the chubby Mel Sterland and a Beagrie effort (without the somersault) gave Bradford the 3-1 win.

This left an "airport derby", according to the hyperactive PA announcer, against Leeds United for a place in the regional final.

But after four minutes Halle betrayed his old club and two Scott Sellars strikes and an Andy Ritchie goal later it was all over for the Bantams.

"It is a great tournament and always nice to see a few old faces again," said Banks, revelling in a break from the recent stresses at Valley Parade.

"I have to say it is harder than you think out there, especially with a few of the lads still playing professionally."

Despite the pre-match smiles, hugs and handshakes, Beagrie, a Premiership promotion winner at the club, explains the rivalries still run deep.

"Everyone is happy to be here and playing against each other," he said. "But as soon as that whistle goes it can get pretty tough out there. We all played at a good level and that competitive instinct is still around.

"It is a great tournament though, and if they pick me I will be back next year."