Bradford manager Graham Alexander was left frustrated after they missed out on going top with a draw against Notts County.
Ciaran Kelly headed the Bantams in front but they were denied a 13th win in 14 home games by David McGoldrick’s superb equaliser. The 1-1 draw leaves Bradford two points behind leaders Port Vale, who play on Friday.
Graham Alexander
Alexander said: “We’ve gained a point but there’s a tinge of frustration after being 1-0 up. I thought we’d defended well up to then and generally all through the game.
“With the quality they have up front with their two strikers, I thought we handled them exceptionally well until that one moment of magic from McGoldrick.
“At 1-0, I fancied us to go on and win the game. We had a couple of opportunities when we just needed to be a bit more clinical.
“I think we should have had a penalty in the first half on Sarce (Antoni Sarcevic) and there was no foul on the goalkeeper when we had the chance at the end from a corner.
“He’s ran into his own player and that went over the line as well. Those are little moments that should go for you but we’re used to that by now.
“That’s a bit frustrating but Notts County are a really good team and they stretch you.”
Bradford went in front after 52 minutes with defender Kelly’s first league goal, glancing home a free-kick from Brandon Khela.
McGoldrick’s response in the 70th minute was a fine finish, turning away from Khela and bending a shot into the top corner from outside the box.
Stuart Maynard
Notts County remained sixth and manager Stuart Maynard felt it was “two points dropped” in their chase for the top three.
Maynard said: “If this game had been earlier in the season, we’d have probably come away being happy with a point.
“But I felt like it was two points dropped. We had all the big moments in the first half and, in the second half, I thought we were the team wanting to be on the front foot and looking to win the game.
“But we got sucker-punched when they got a goal out of nothing. At times, you can’t defend some situations and it was a good ball in and a good goal.
“
The spirit we displayed after that, however, truly impressed me. Didzy (McGoldrick) did what he does and scored another goal for us, which, in my opinion, is right up there because of the time he scored it.
“As a player, you can get tense when you’re behind 1-0, and it’s easy to snatch at it, but he’s so calm in those situations.” He has been outstanding for us this season, and tonight was no exception.
