Substitute Brett Pitman snatched a last-minute equaliser to earn Bristol Rovers a 2-2 draw at Bradford.
The game was about to move into added time when Pitman rose to meet Antony Evans’ cross and head the ball over the head of goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell.
Until then Bradford had looked set for their second successive home win.
They dominated the first half and, after keeper James Belshaw blocked Levi Sutton’s shot with his legs, deservedly went in front in the 43rd minute.
Belshaw did well to save defender Yann Songo’o’s header from Callum Cooke’s right-wing corner and Charles Vernam followed up to score from the rebound.
The visitors equalised three minutes after half-time when a corner from the left found Alfie Kilgour unmarked in the area and he headed home.
The Bantams hit back immediately and Andy Cook restored their lead two minutes later, scoring with a close-range shot from Vernam’s left-wing cross.
Bradford went close to adding to their lead, but Rovers always carried a threat and, after Paudie O’Connor blocked Aaron Collins’ goalbound shot, Pitman scored their late equaliser.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Bradford
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1O’Donnell
- 2Threlkeld
- 6Songo’o
- 4O’Connor
- 3RidehalghSubstituted forFouldsat 30′minutes
- 18WattSubstituted forScalesat 81′minutes
- 22Sutton
- 11Gilliead
- 8Cooke
- 15Vernam
- 9Cook
Substitutes
- 5Canavan
- 14Foulds
- 16Kelleher
- 20Robinson
- 24Cousin-Dawson
- 26Scales
- 29Lavery
Bristol Rovers
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Belshaw
- 30HooleSubstituted forThomasat 45′minutes
- 5KilgourBooked at 54mins
- 17Taylor
- 16Anderton
- 15CouttsBooked at 25minsSubstituted forNicholsonat 59′minutes
- 26Whelan
- 19Anderson
- 10Collins
- 21Evans
- 22SaundersBooked at 4minsSubstituted forPitmanat 22′minutesBooked at 63mins
Substitutes
- 7Thomas
- 8Westbrooke
- 11Nicholson
- 18Martinez
- 20Clarke
- 35Ward
- 40Pitman
- Referee:
- Andy Haines
- Attendance:
- 16,664
Live Text
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Match ends, Bradford City 2, Bristol Rovers 2.
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Second Half ends, Bradford City 2, Bristol Rovers 2.
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Attempt saved. Connor Taylor (Bristol Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luke Thomas with a cross.
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Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Levi Sutton.
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Goal! Bradford City 2, Bristol Rovers 2. Brett Pitman (Bristol Rovers) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Antony Evans.
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Sam Nicholson (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Oscar Threlkeld (Bradford City).
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Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Paudie O’Connor.
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Attempt blocked. Aaron Collins (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Nicholson.
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Harry Anderson (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Charles Vernam (Bradford City).
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Foul by Luke Thomas (Bristol Rovers).
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Alex Gilliead (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Aaron Collins (Bristol Rovers) header from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Antony Evans with a cross.
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Substitution, Bradford City. Kian Scales replaces Elliot Watt.
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Attempt saved. Antony Evans (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Luke Thomas (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Elliot Watt (Bradford City).
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Foul by Charles Vernam (Bradford City).
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Harry Anderson (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
