Bradford City 1 York City 1: Minstermen maintain learning curve as Bantams are left to plot new combat plan

That honours should finish even at the end of a truly pulsating second half was just, with both Bradford and York having played a full part in ensuring the destination of the points remained in doubt right up until the final few seconds.

The Bantams may point with some justification to how they were only denied victory by Garry Thompson striking a post with a ferocious shot and Nahki Wells spurning a golden opportunity with just goalkeeper Michael Ingham to beat.

But, equally, York would have been hard done to had they left Valley Parade empty-handed after having what appeared a very strong appeal for a penalty turned down and Ashley Chambers come within a whisker of grabbing his second goal of the afternoon following a swift break just after the interval.

All in all, therefore, a fair result, though one that Bradford midfielder Nathan Doyle admits was tempered with frustration for the hosts.

He said: “York came and set their stall out. A lot of teams come here and respect us like that. We need to combat it.

“I, personally, didn’t think we got close enough to York (in the first half). But in the second half, we did.

“We rolled our sleeves up, got the equaliser and we could have had another goal with the chance Nahki Wells had.

“But that is football. If it goes in, we are buzzing. Unfortunately, it didn’t so we must build on what we have got, which is a point.”

The first derby game between Bradford and York since 1995-96 only came to life once the visitors had gone ahead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of a volley from Chambers.

That such a sweet strike should break the deadlock was made all the more impressive by what had gone before. Which, quite frankly, was not a lot.

Sure, there had been plenty of industry and endeavour – particularly from York as they put in the hard yards to frustrate their hosts. But a general lack of quality meant a tame first half lacked rhythm as Bradford, in particular, laboured on the ball.

Phil Parkinson’s side did fashion one clear-cut opening when Wells brought a save from Ingham in the 17th minute. But that was more down to York left-back Jamal Fyfield hesitating long enough to allow Wells to block his attempted clearance than any particular creativity on the part of the host team.

Other than that, however, the all-White Rose affair offered very little by way of entertainment until York went ahead just a minute before the interval.

A blocked shot by Dave Challinor was the catalyst, the ball looping off a Bantams defender towards Chambers, who showed tremendous ability to unleash a first-time shot that gave Jon McLaughlin little chance in the home goal.

Considering the paucity of chances that had been created in those opening 44 minutes, Bradford could consider themselves unfortunate to be behind.

But their afternoon almost got a lot worse in the early stages of the second half as Jason Walker brought a flying save from Jon McLaughlin and then Chambers shot just wide following a swift break.

The second of those two let-offs was enough to persuade Parkinson that changes were needed, both in terms of personnel and formation.

Out went the 4-2-3-1 set-up that had worked so well in the second half at Dagenham & Redbridge and then again at League One Hartlepool United as the Bantams chief brought on the speedy Zavon Hines and Garry Thompson.

The switch to a 4-4-2 formation proved an inspired one as Bradford took just six minutes to draw level, Hines finishing a sweeping move down the left flank that had included full-back James Meredith beating three of his former team-mates on halfway through a combination of determination and guile.

Suddenly, the game was transformed and Thompson’s thunderous drive crashed against the post before Wells spurned the best opening of the afternoon after being played in behind the York defence by an incisive pass from Doyle.

Chris Smith also pulled off a vital tackle on Wells as the Bermudan international threatened to again race clear, and James Hanson headed over after being picked out by Doyle’s free-kick.

York, too, had chances to claim all three points as Walker’s goalbound shot seemed to be blocked by Oliver’s arm only for referee Mark Heywood to wave away the appeals.

Manager Gary Mills admitted afterwards to not having the best view of the incident before praising his players for taking a point off one of the teams he expects to challenge for promotion.

The Minstermen chief said: “When the equaliser went in, we never laid down. They had the better opportunities, particularly when the lad (Wells) went through. Michael Ingham tells me he saved it. If that’s the case, fair play.

“But we had chances, too. We are learning about this league (following promotion from the Conference) and the point was a good one.

“Bradford are a side who should be up there. They play different to how we play. They have a style and it can be difficult to play against.

“I don’t know what they eat over here or whether they put them in a greenhouse or what. But Bradford certainly have a couple of big lads out there. It can be tough to deal with, but I felt we did the job well.”