Notts County 1 - 1 Bradford AFC: Bantams held but maintain focus

Posted Sunday, March 15, 2015 by PA

Bradford refused to let their imminent FA Cup quarter-final replay derail their play-off charge as Jon Stead earned them a 1-1 draw at Notts County.

Stead put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Mike Edwards struck with 15 minutes remaining to earn the home side a share of the spoils.

In a game of very few chances, Notts goalkeeper Roy Carroll had to be alert early on to keep out Mark Yeates' free-kick before denying Stead from the rebound.

Notts were very limited going forward, but the brilliance of Paddy McCourt opened up the Bradford defence midway through the opening half.

His cross was met by Garry Thompson but the former City winger's shot was blocked in the six-yard box before it was emphatically cleared.

Curtis Thompson then tried his luck from 25 yards as his shot whistled past the post, before Bradford took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Francois Zoko left Hayden Mullins for dead and his pull back from the byline was steered in by Stead.

Bradford continued to create chances after the break, but Notts equalised with quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Edwards headed in former Bradford skipper Gary Jones' corner.