Non-league Aldershot force Bradford into FA Cup replay

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2018 by PA

Bradford’s blushes were spared after Nathaniel Knight-Percival’s second-half equaliser rescued them a 1-1 draw away at Aldershot in the FA Cup first round.

The hosts went in front in the 12th minute when loanee Josh Barrett crossed for George Fowler to tap in unmarked at the far post, before Knight-Percival drew level from a Jack Payne corner with just 20 minutes to go.

Torrential rain made conditions difficult for both sides, who will both rue a succession of missed opportunities largely caused by standing water on the pitch.

Bradford twice came close to finding an equaliser midway through the first half, but Will Mannion got down well to save efforts from Eoin Doyle and left-back Connor Wood.

The Bantams, who currently sit bottom in League One and are now without a win in eight matches, were undeterred by the worsening conditions and threatened again down the left flank, but Wood’s deflected shot was tipped over by Mannion.

They again came close to levelling in the 54th minute when forward George Miller latched onto Payne’s well-timed pass, but, despite his shot beating the keeper, the waterlogged surface stopped the ball dead before it could cross the goal line.

Aldershot almost hit straight back after Bradford’s equaliser, but Adam McDonnell put his free-kick over the bar and the game finished level.