ARIANNE Parnham was the toast of her Bradford City Women team-mates on Sunday, as her quickfire brace either side of the break sealed a vital 2-1 win for her side at Chorley.

The Bantams are still in the FA Women's National League Division One North relegation zone, but are now only three points off Chorley and safety.

They also have a game in hand on the Lancastrians, and could move out of the dreaded bottom two as early as this coming weekend.

For that to happen, City would need to beat fellow strugglers York City at home, with Chorley losing to Stockport County, their visitors currently sat in fourth place.

Back to Sunday, and the Bantams were all too aware that a defeat would leave them nine points behind Chorley, a result that might have proved fatal to their chances of staying in the division.

And they had to weather an early storm from their hosts, Melissa Bell's effort well held by City stopper Tiffany Whelan.

Caitlin Devins' corner was then headed wide by Kerry Nickson moments later, and a third chance fell the home side's way on 20 minutes, but no-one was there to turn in Jessica Gillin's cut back after she had rounded Whelan.

Ellie Cook then headed Natalie Bell's corner inches over the bar, before Gillin got in behind from Mia Hyland's long ball, but wasted the chance by squaring the ball instead of shooting.

Yet, after all that, it was the Bantams who took the lead a minute before the interval.

A Chorley attack came to nothing and City broke forward impressively.

It was Parnham who powered through on goal, and she calmly slotted the ball beyond Emma Bradley to give her side the lead.

With Chorley still reeling, the Bantams doubled their advantage five minutes after half-time.

Again the hosts were caught out on the break and again it was Parnham who finished the move off.

Chorley struggled to respond, and though Bell's brilliant free kick just after the hour mark caused trouble, none of her team-mates were able to get the decisive touch to turn the ball home.

Megan Searson halved the deficit with five minutes to go, her lofted effort from out wide on the right catching Whelan out and finding the net.

But the City keeper made an important stop soon after from Bell's free-kick and that ensured the visitors secured a huge three points.

Brighouse Town had a rare weekend off in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division, one tier above the Bantams.

But they have little to worry about, after a brilliant start to 2023 has taken them from relegation candidates up to fifth place.

Brig will make it seven league wins in a row if they can down visiting West Bromwich Albion, who currently sit in eighth, this coming Sunday.