Fleetwood Town 1 - 1 Bradford AFC: Bradford City hit back to earn draw at Fleetwood Town

Bradford battled back from an early blow to earn a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood.

The gusting sea breeze played a big part in Town's third-minute opener. Jimmy Ryan's free-kick hung aloft in a gust and Bantams keeper Ben Williams, backpedalling, spilled the ball to avoid taking it over his own line, leaving Jamille Matt to pounce.

Fleetwood looked in control but gifted Bradford a route back midway through the first half. Northern Ireland international Conor McLaughlin gave up possession and former Town loanee Josh Morris led a Bradford counter before crossing for James Hanson to calmly finish.

The visitors grew into the game and could have grabbed the advantage early in the second half when Stephen Darby dived past his man, delivering a back-post cross which Devante Cole headed narrowly wide.

The forward went closer still 10 minutes later when his stinging blast came back off the inside of a post.

Fleetwood might have clinched it late on, Tyler Forbes finding a burst of pace before his centre was met by Matt whose flick was deflected over the bar.

Bradford thought they had won it with the last kick as Steven Davies headed home but the offside flag stifled the celebrations.