Chestaerfield 2 Bradford City 2: Taylor praises City’s character despite late leveller from leaders

BRADFORD CITY came within seconds of pulling off League Two’s shock result of the day.

For as the match entered stoppage time, the Bantams were beating table-toppers Chesterfield 2-1 courtesy of goals by David Syers and James Hanson.

But they were left heartbroken when substitute Jordan Bowery struck home from close range following a goalmouth melee to earn Chesterfield a point.

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Despite the late leveller, Bradford manager Peter Taylor, who is under pressure following a string of disappointing results, was pleased with his team.

He said: “It was a very good performance and it should give us some confidence. The character we showed was first-class.”

Bradford fell behind in the 10th minute when Danny Whitaker found the net following a pass from Jack Lester.

It was Whitaker’s 12th goal of the season and Bradford must have been dreading the prospect of a fifth straight defeat and their second in a week.

But within two minutes the Valley Parade men were level.

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Gareth Evans crossed from the left and the unmarked Syers tapped in at the far post.

Evans was in the thick of the action again at the end of the first half when his free-kick from 25 yards was saved by diving goalkeeper Tommy Lee.

Bradford kept pushing and eight minutes after the restart they went ahead.

Evans was involved again when he sent over a dangerous cross which Hanson headed in from six yards out.

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Chesterfield stepped up a gear and the visitors had a let-off in the 84th minute when Deane Smalley headed a close-in effort over Jon McLaughlin’s bar.

The result left Bradford six points clear of the bottom two.

Chesterfield: Lee; Ford (Vidal, 46), Breckin, Mattis, Robertson; Talbot, Niven (Bowery, 85), Allott, Whitaker; Lester (Smalley, 52), Davies. Unused substitutes: Redmond, Griffiths, Lowry, Morris.

Bradford City: McLaughlin; Eckersley, Oliver, Duff, O’Brien; Worthington (Flynn, 76), Syers, Adeyemi; Evans, Hanson, Osborne (Daley, 36). Unused substitutes:: Speight, Hunt, Elliott, Threlfall, Cullen

Referee: D Whitestone (Northants).

Man of the match: Omar Daley.

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