Graham Alexander's pride as Bradford City take League One play-off push to final day
Graham Alexander was proud of how his Bradford City player acquitted themselves in a frantic game with Bolton Wanderers that he felt either side could have won.
The Bantams came from behind to claim their third successive draw. One more on the final day of the League One season at Exeter City will guarantee their place in the play-offs, 12 months after winning promotion from League Two.
Bolton remain in third, but only a point ahead of fifth-placed Bradford.
To be pushing a club of their stature so hard filled Alexander with pride.
"I think the draw was a fair result, but it was a game that both teams could have won," he commented.
"The opportunities for us to come back from a later goal in the game against a team that's got lots of quality, (I was) really pleased with my players and how they approached the whole game.
"As a newly-promoted team, going up against Plymouth and Bolton (in the last two games), we're walking off a little bit disappointed we haven't beaten them – considering where they've come from and what they have to compete at this level.
"Everyone at the club deserves massive credit for just holding our heads up in good stead and going up against opponents and never feeling second-best.
"Even at 1-0, we saw the right body language in the players, the right mentality and a never-say-die approach, which we expect now.
"They've got undoubted quality, probably from a high level.
"They challenge you in different ways, but I think we pressed them really well. We forced them into playing long for quite a lot in the first half. Just maybe a little bit of fatigue from a couple of players on our side after Plymouth, on Tuesday, kicked in and they got a foothold in the game, as in possession.
"But Sam (Walker) made a couple of good saves. I think we had some opportunities we should have done better with, but (it was) two really good goals, I think, in the game.
"We take it into the last game."
Johnny Kenny put Bolton ahead midway through the second half, but Kayden Jackson caught a dropping ball sweetly on the volley to equalise in front of the Kop after 81 minutes. Jackson missed the whole of March through injury, but he has re-established himself as a first-choice starter in the last three games at a time when other attacking injuries are hitting his team.
"In January we were delighted to bring in a player of his quality and we saw his quality in the first couple of games," said Alexander.
"The injury obviously took him out of action and it's difficult. Now we've got Sarce (Antoni Sarcevic), Bobby (Pointon) and Tyreik (Wright out).
"We've been hit hard from that perspective, but I think Kadyen's just needed a bit of time coming off the bench and getting back to full fitness. His running data is superb. He can play down the middle or off the right or off the left probably.
"It was a great finish from him, so I'm really pleased that he's shown the supporters what he can do in a short space of time."
As for who might be available at the weekend, Alexander explained: "Sarce only had his injection on Thursday, so it takes 48 hours for it to settle down.
"We'll see how he is on Tuesday and Wednesday and hopefully he can join in training. We just have to plan ahead without them and if any of them come back, it's a bonus."