Wells effort chalked off as Bantams are denied priceless win

But Parkinson was still delighted his battling Bantams side managed to leave with a point from their visit to the Priestfield Stadium having created the better opportunities.

“We had good opportunities to win it, we had the best chances. There’s no doubt about that,” reflected Parkinson, who made five changes to his side which lost to Rotherham in last Saturday’s Yorkshire derby clash.

“During the course of the game we deserved three points.

“Gillingham is a difficult place to come, so it was a pleasing response to our defeat last week.

“We need to keep building on performances like this.

“We’ve had too many bad performances this season, but this was a very good day out for us.

“We had a team of men and they stood up to anything that was thrown at them. We showed real character.

“It was a massive challenge for us to come to Gillingham to get a result, but we re-grouped and dug deep because we know no-one is going to feel sorry for you in this game.”

Gills striker Jo Kuffour was unlucky not to score as early as the second minute when his bold scissor-kick struck a post, but then the visitors rallied with James Hanson first forcing a smart save from host keeper Ross Flitney, firing over and then soon after heading wide.

Kyel Reid saw a shot charged down and fellow midfielder Michael Flynn rifled over, before substitute Nahki Wells was denied by a smart save from Flitney and then had a goal disallowed for offside.

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler said: “The good thing is we didn’t get beat.”

Gillingham: Flitney, Lawrence, Richards, Frampton, Martin, Weston, Lee, Payne, Nouble (Payne 84), Kedwell (Montrose 79), Kuffour.Unused substitutes: Gazzaniha, Oli, Fish.

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Seip, Ramsden, Oliver, Davies, Reid, Flynn, Ravenhill, Hanson, Hannah (Wells 70), Fagan. Unused substitutes: Duke, Mitchell, Moore, Devitt.

Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire). Bradford man of the match: James Hanson.