Bolton Wanderers held by promotion rivals Bradford City

Bolton Wanderers 0 - 0 Bradford City

Bolton’s push for a ninth straight victory was ended by Bradford as the League One promotion contenders shared a goalless draw.

Author | Mark Scott

Stadium | Toughsheet Community Stadium

Bradford on the attack

Amario Cozier-Duberry, in impressive form since arriving on loan, was unable to add to his recent run and found little room to unsettle Bradford’s disciplined back line. The Brighton forward saw an early effort blocked by Sam Walker and twice steered shots wide in the first league meeting between the sides in four years.

The match was competitive and fast-paced, reminiscent of a traditional Lancashire v Yorkshire Roses clash. As Wanderers pressed for a breakthrough, a swift move from Dempsey and a neat exchange between the precise Josh Sheehan and Amario Cozier-Duberry saw Cozier-Duberry’s effort clip the roof of the net.

Walker also kept out Jordi Osei Tutu while Bradford created little before the interval, their only first half opportunity arriving in stoppage time when Bobby Pointon’s strike was tipped over by Teddy Sharman Lowe.

What happened in the second-half?

Bradford carried more threat after the break with former Bolton midfielder Antoni Sarcevic and Stephen Humphreys adding impetus. Humphreys soon tested Sharman Lowe again as the visitors began to press higher up the pitch.

With the result finely poised as the match entered its final 20 minutes, Schumacher made a triple substitution as Burstow, Dempsey and Aaron Morley, who had also delivered a strong performance, departed.

Both sides pushed for a decisive goal and the contest opened up. Wanderers carved out another chance when Cozier Duberry threaded a pass to substitute Sam Dalby, whose angled strike was directed straight at Walker.

Bolton had struck 12 times across their previous three outings, yet it was Bradford who nearly claimed their first league win since late September. Substitute George Lapslie went close near the end but Sharman Lowe reacted sharply to block his low drive.