Bradford City 1 Gillingham 1: Zoko increases City’s attacking options

Blackpool's Francois Zoko has joined Bradford City.

The 31-year old, who scored 17 goals for League Two Stevenage last season, joined Blackpool during the close season.

City manager Phil Parkinson said: “He has got pace, he is big and he has got the ability to put the ball in the net. I think he will be an asset for us.”

Bradford obtained clearance in time for the player to be included in the squad to face Gillingham on Saturday. He was on the bench, but not used.

Parkinson did not hide his frustration after City conceded a scrappy late equaliser that denied them a deserved win.

The match had moved into the third minute of stoppage time when Gillingham forced a corner on the right and, when Brennan Dickenson’s flag kick was headed back into the middle by Leon Legge, substitute striker Antonio German scrambled the ball over the line.

Parkinson said: “We dominated the game and we had chances to kill the game off and we didn’t take them. When you don’t do that, you are always susceptible to a killer-punch.

“I should be complimenting the lads for the way they played, but the moment at the end changes the mood.

“The equalising goal was so frustrating. We didn’t react to the second phase and that has proved costly.”

Bradford’s best first-half chance came in the 34th minute, when Jon Stead played the ball into the path of substitute Billy Knott – on for Felipe Morais, who damaged a shoulder in a fall – whose 15-yard shot was turned against the post by goalkeeper Stuart Nelson.

However, they did penetrate Gillingham’s defensive cordon after 56 minutes when Andy Halliday took advantage of a mistake by Kortney Hause before trying a curling shot, which Legge turned into his own net.

Billy Clarke created an opening for substitute James Hanson in the 77th minute but his shot hit the post and City paid the price when they conceded that last-gasp equaliser.

Bradford City: Pickford, Darby, McArdle, Davies, Meredith, Morais (Knott 18), Liddle, Halliday, Yeates, Clarke (Kennedy 82), Stead (Hanson 70). Unused substitutes: Williams, Sheehan, Zoko, Routis.

Gillingham: Nelson, Hoyte, Legge, Egan, Hause (McGlashan 68), Chicksen, Dickensen, Loft, Hessenthaler, Dack (Kedwell 81), McDonald (German 68). Unused substitutes: Morris, Linganzi, Pritchard, Norris.

Referee: S Duncan (Newcastle).

Man of the match: Billy Clarke.