Bradford City 1 Gillingham 1: Mclean off the mark but City pegged back

However, he was disappointed with Gillingham’s second-half equaliser that robbed City of the victory he thought his side deserved as the League One mid-table battle between two of last season’s promoted sides ended in deadlock and leaves each of them on 45 points.

It has been a frustrating time for Mclean, who was signed as a replacement for leading scorer Nahki Wells when the Bermudian striker joined Huddersfield Town in a £1.2m deal, but he put all his troubles behind him when he swept City into a 10th-minute lead with a superb half volley from six yards.

The goal crowned a bright start for City and Parkinson said: “I think Aaron’s performances have deserved that goal. The good thing about him is that the longer he has been here, the harder he has worked and he got his reward by scoring a textbook goal, a great team goal, a fantastic run and good connection.”

Unfortunately for Bradford they could not score a second goal that would have probably sealed the match and paid the price when Gillingham equalised 11 minutes after half-time through Cody McDonald.

Parkinson said: “This is two points dropped. We dominated the game. Gillingham didn’t threaten and yet they nicked a point off us.”

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Drury, Bennett, Doyle, Dolan (Jones 72mins), Reach, Hanson, Mclean (Thompson 84mins). Unused substitutes: Bentley (gk), Gray, McHugh, Bates, Atkinson.

Gillingham: Nelson, Hewitt, Legge, Barrett, Martin, Fagan, Linganzi, Hessenthaler (Lee 45mins), Weston, McDonald, Pigott (Akinfenwa 45mins). Subs (not used): Baxter (gk), Davies, Dack, Smith, Harriman.

Referee: Michael Bull (Essex).

Man of the match: Adam Reach.