Bradford Dragons let slip an 11-point lead at half-time to lose 86-71 against London United and miss out on a place in the play-off final.

The Dragons dominated the opening quarter to establish a 25-19 advantage led by Daumants Pabrieza’s lay-ups, with only three triples from Rich Wellings keeping their opponents in the game.

The two sides had met in the National Shield final last month and this game followed a similar pattern, with Bradford moving 46-35 ahead by the halfway stage.

But just as London United had hit back to win that showpiece match, so they did again to move 66-55 up after the third quarter.

The Dragons then took nearly five minutes to score in the final quarter and although they pulled the deficit back to eight points, London kept their composure to run out deserved winners.

Bradford coach Chris Mellor, whose side were already assured of promotion to EBL Division Two, said: “We played pretty well first half but we were abysmal in the second as we stopped moving the ball on offence and played way to much one on one.

“It was a disappointing way to end the season but winning the league means much more to us as a club than the end-of-season play-offs.”

Vance Silcott led Bradford’s scoring with 15 points, Pabrieza adding 12 and Sean James nine.

Meanwhile, the Dragons’ under-14s went down 94-64 to unbeaten Sheffield Junior Sharks in their play-off.