Bradford AFC 1 - 1 Colchester United - Morais to the rescue for Bantams

Posted Sunday, February 01, 2015 by PA

Filipe Morais scored a late equaliser as cup kings Bradford avoided a third successive Sky Bet League One defeat with a 1-1 draw against Colchester on a heavy Valley Parade pitch.

Chris Porter, himself an FA Cup hero with Sheffield United last season, gave Colchester a fourth-minute lead with a memorable first goal for the club.

The hosts summoned the spirit of Stamford Bridge after the break and Morais earned them a share of the spoils with time running out.

City striker Jon Stead had already had a low shot well saved by Sam Walker when Porter latched onto Tom Lapslie's long ball over the top, cut in from the left and curled a brilliant right-footed strike into the top corner.

The Bantams were rattled and the U's sensed blood, Gavin Massey curling just wide and Sammie Szmodics denied by Jordan Pickford after finding himself one-on-one.

Phil Parkinson's men pushed on in search of an equaliser and were almost caught on the break as Ben Gordon's left-footed drive was beaten away by Pickford.

Morais had a shot deflected onto the post by Walker at the other end but was not to be denied 14 minutes from time when he volleyed home Stead's cross.