Port Vale 2 Bradford City 2: Late penalty blow so cruel

But they were only denied all three points at Port Vale on Saturday by a stoppage-time penalty.

The Bantams were full value for their lead at 90 minutes but hopes of a seventh away win in the league were dashed when Chris Birchall was taken out in the area by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was sent off.

His replacement, Ben Williams, was beaten from the penalty spot by Michael O’Connor.

“It was a real proper Bradford City away performance, obviously we are disappointed to have conceded late in the game,” said manager Phil Parkinson.

“All we needed to do was hook the ball forward as big and ugly as you like and the game was over.

“We played a short ball in midfield, got outmuscled in the middle of the park and ended up losing two points, which is a shame.”

City had broken the deadlock four minutes before the break when James Hanson nodded home Filipe Morais’s cross.

Achille Campion levelled just before the hour-mark but Morais made it 2-1 when he volleyed home and City were denied twice by goalkeeper Chris Meal, who blocked efforts from Billy Knott and Hanson.

“In the first half, I thought we were outstanding, we passed it well on a big pitch and looked threatening,” said Parkinson. “In the second, we got ahead and we had two other incredible chances to extend our lead. I thought the overall performance was great.”

Port Vale: Neal; Veseli, Duffy (Luer 86), Robertson, Dickenson; Lines (Campion 46), Brown, O’Connor, Marshall ; Pope, Daniel (Birchall 36). Unused substitutes: Yates, McGivern, Johnson, O’Sullivan.

Bradford City: Pickford; Darby, McArdle, Davies, Meredith; Halliday, Knott (Yeates 80, Williams 90), Liddle, Morais, Hanson, Stead. Unused substitutes: Sheehan, Clarke, Zoko, Routis, Mackenzie.

Referee: M Bull (Essex).

Man of the match: Filipe Morais.