Gillingham 1 Bradford City 0: Parkinson is counting cost of missed chances

Defeat to substitute John Marquis’s second-half effort left the Bantams seven points outside of the play-offs heading into tomorrow’s clash with League One leaders Bristol City at Valley Parade.

Striker Jon Stead twice saw efforts hacked off the line, while Gills goalkeeper Glenn Morris thwarted Stead and Billy Clarke.

“The first half was as good we have played in a very long time,” said City manager Phil Parkinson. “We completely dominated the game and had some really good chances to score.

“When you have that much domination though, you have to score.

“We’ve had chances cleared off the line, their ‘keeper has made some fantastic saves and we’ve looked dangerous from set-plays.

“The only thing lacking from us today (Saturday) simply was that moment of quality to win you a game of football.

“That is the story of the day really. I can’t really fault the lads for their effort and determination – it was top class.

“I couldn’t have asked any more of them in terms of the way they approached the game.

“The attitude of the players was spot-on. The motivation levels to come here and get a result were right up there.

“The first half performance from us warranted at least a two-goal lead in our favour but we just couldn’t take our chances.”

Gillingham: Glenn Morris, Egan, Ehmer, Legge, Bell (Dickenson 71), Hessenthaler (Marquis 63) ,McGlashan, Loft, Dack, McDonald, Norris (Aaron Morris 63). Unused substitutes: Nelson, Muldoon, Pritchard, Hoyte.

Bradford City: Williams, Darby, MacKenzie (Webb-Foster 90), McArdle, Meredith,Liddle (Yeates 79),Morais (Zoko 79), Knott, Clarke, Hanson, Stead. Unused substitutes: Dolan, Urwin, Halliday, McMahon.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).