Bradford 2 Colchester 2: Bradford’s character is lauded by Parkinson as Wells grabs brace

Manager Phil Parkinson praised Bradford City’s comeback qualities as the Bantams’ manager’s former club nevertheless spoiled their 100 per cent home record.
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Bradford, who had scored 10 goals without reply in three previous home wins, trailed 2-1 at half-time before Nahki Wells’s second goal of the match and his ninth of the season rescued a point.

Parkinson, who believes the club where he enjoyed success at the start of his managerial career, are one of the best in League One, said: “I think we started in great fashion and then conceded two disappointing goals.

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“But we said at half-time we would give everything to try to get back in the game and we did that. You get setbacks, but you have got to respond.”

Wells put City ahead in the 14th minute when an attempted clearance from David Wright spun into his path, but the lively visitors hit back with two goals in four minutes.

Jeffrey Monakana, making his debut after joining on loan from Preston, equalised on 28 minutes with an angled shot from the right.

Colchester then went in front after 32 minutes when Monakana’s through pass split the City defence for Jabo Ibehre to supply the finish.

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Wells equalised with a looping header after 52 minutes and only a brilliant last-minute save from Sam Walker denied him a third goal.

However, Colchester, who ended the match with 10 men after 19-year-old substitute defender Daniel Pappoe was sent off for a foul challenge on Bradford substitute Mark Yeates in stoppage time, had almost snatched a third goal when substitute Gavin Massey hit the post on 79 minutes.

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Darby, McArdle, Davies, Meredith, Thompson (De Vita 75mins), Jones, Doyle (Ravenhill 83mns), Reid (Yeates 80mins), Hanson, Wells. Unused substitutes: Ripley, Oliver, Gray, Connell.

Colchester United: Walker, Wilson, David Wright, Eastmond, Okuonghae, Gilbey (Pappoe 86mins), Garbutt, Eastman, Monakana (Sears 74mins), Ibehre, Drey Wright (Massey 69mins). Unused substitutes: Cousins, Morrison, Bean, Olufemi.

Referee: T Harrington (Cleveland).

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