Bradford AFC 2 - 2 Rochdale: Joe Bunney double not enough to beat Bradford

Joe Bunney scored a goal in each half as Rochdale played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Bradford at the Coral Windows Stadium.

There were chances for both sides in the early stages, with Dale midfielder Matt Lund's long-range effort forcing a smart save from Ben Williams in the second minute, before City's Tony McMahon saw his testing free-kick pushed to safety six minutes later.

Rochdale went ahead after 12 minutes when Bunney got on the end of Joe Rafferty's cross and nodded into the bottom corner of Williams' net from the middle of the box.

The Bantams pushed for an equaliser and it came in the 40th minute when defender Rory McArdle, back in the team following the birth of his first child, latched onto McMahon's low left-wing cross to slot in from close range.

Dale regained their lead in the 51st minute when Bunney lashed a low effort into the back of Williams' net from 20 yards.

But Bradford were back on terms 11 minutes later when McMahon's corner was guided in by the head of substitute Steven Davies.

Rochdale had opportunities to seal all three points as the second half drew to a close, but Bunney and substitute Grant Holt, on his first appearance since returning to the club, could not find a way past Williams.