Gillingham 0 Bradford City 0: Bantams challenge bigger than I realised, admits Parkinson

Phil Parkinson saw his Bradford City side return from Gillingham in League Two with a hard-earned points as they look to climb away from the relegation zone.

Andrew Davies was back from a four-game band but there was no place for Ritchie Jones after recovering from the toe injury that led to the midfielder missing last week’s defeat to Rotherham.

Robbie Threlfall has suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury, a scan revealing the left-back is likely to be out for an extra week with the injury that has prevented him from playing since late October.

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Neither side could break the deadlock although the Gills came close to taking an early lead when Jo Kuffour’s deflected acrobatic effort hit the woodwork.

James Hanson forced a good save from home goalkeeper Ross Flitney before wastefully thumping the rebound over the crossbar.

Bantams sub Nahki Wells had his effort chalked off for offisde before the visitors survived late pressure to claim a point.

“This job - it’s a massive challenge probably bigger than I thought,” said City manager Phil Parkinson. “You’ve got to keep fighting in this game because no-one is going to feel sorry for you.

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“The only people that can turn it round yourselves and the group of players you are working with.

“I’ve just said to the team I don’t want to have to keep on responding, I want to build on performances and that’s what we’ve got to do.”

For reaction and big-match report from today’s game, read Sports Monday, free with Monday’s Yorkshire Post newspaper.

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