Bradford 2 Rochdale 2: New father Rory McArdle delivers again for City

McArdle, who missed the midweek win against Southend following the birth of his first child, netted in the 40th minute to cancel out Joe Bunney’s 12th-minute opener.

Dale regained their lead in the 51st minute when Bunney lashed a low effort into the back of Williams’s net from 20 yards.

But Bradford were back on terms 11 minutes later when Tony McMahon’s corner was guided in by the head of substitute Steven Davies.

Parkin was full of praise for McArdle after the match. He said: “He’s had an up-and-down week, obviously.

“His wife has had the baby and he has missed quite a few days of training so it was nice for him to get the goal.

“If there is anybody you want sliding in or flying into the six-yard box – as committed as he is, to get on the end of a quality ball like Macca (McMahon) put in – it’s Rory McArdle, so we’re delighted for him.

“We weren’t at our best but there was a lot of fight, a lot of spirit. I think we can be a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded, I would have thought, coming off the back of two clean sheets. I think it’s one of those days where you have to look at the week’s work and be delighted that we got seven points.”

The result left City four points off the play-off spots in eighth.

Bradford City: Williams, Darby, McArdle, Burke, Meredith, McMahon, Evans, Knott (Marshall, 83), Reid, Thomas (B Clarke, 65), Hanson (Davies, 46). Unused substitutes: Cracknell, N Clarke, Cullen, Leigh.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Rose, Lund, Allen, Mendez-Laing (Holt, 73), Bunney (Bennett, 90+3), Henderson (Syers, 79). Unused substitutes: Collis, Alessandra, Noble-Lazarus, Camps.

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland).

Man of the match: Joe Bunney (Rochdale)