Plymouth 0 Bradford City 0: Play-off hopes fade as Bantams are checked

Andres Gurrieri fired over the top when well placed as the home side made a solid start, but it was City who had the best chance to break the deadlock in the opening quarter from Rory McArdle’s clearance.

Garry Thompson beat the offside trap and raced into the area only to be denied by the legs of home goalkeeper Jake Cole.

Jason Banton forced a good save from City goalkeeper Matt Duke just past the midway point of the first half, firing in an effort from 12 yards.

Carl McHugh came to City’s rescue moments later when he cleared Gurrieri’s shot off his own line.

Cole made a regulation save to keep out Kyel Reid’s free-kick minutes before the break.

Banton hammered a shot against the post as the home side made a good start to the second period.

The Bantams looked a real threat in the final 10 minutes with Thompson sending a left-footed effort crashing against the bar.

Reid was denied by goalkeeper Cole and striker James Hanson’s header was deflected narrowly wide.

But there was a real let-off for the Bantams deep into stoppage time when Stephen Darby somehow cleared off his own line when Nick Chadwick and Tyler Harvey both appeared to be favourites to stab the ball home.

Plymouth Argyle: Cole; Blanchard, Wotton, Branston, Bhasera; Banton, Cox, Hourihane, Gurrieri (Cowan-Hall 85), Bryan (Harvey 85); Reid (Chadwick 67). Unused substitutes: Chenoweth, Berry, Young, Murray,

Bradford City: Duke; Darby, McArdle, Davies, McHugh; Hines (Atkinson 77), Doyle, Ravenhill, Reid; Thompson (Connell 80), Gray (Hanson 66). Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Jones, Wells, Nelson.

Referee: A Davies (Hampshire).