NEWPORT County AFC had to dig deep to chalk up a point in their League Two promotion bid after drawing 0-0 with Bradford City.

The Exiles would have loved an away win at Valley Parade in their push for the play-offs and potentially the top three.

However, a point was a good return in the end against a Bantams side that put them under serious pressure in the second half.

County had to show their grit and determination for a share of the spoils. Time will tell how crucial the draw is.

James Rowberry’s men climbed a place to fifth, three points off third-placed Northampton, and next up are second-placed Exeter City in what should be a Rodney Parade cracker next weekend.

County had the better of the first half but Bradford, perhaps after some choice words from former Wales boss Mark Hughes, got their fans behind them with a dramatically improved display after the break.

The Exiles were put under serious pressure and it needed some fine work by goalkeeper Joe Day to keep the scores level.

They then had a strong shout for a penalty when Cameron Norman went down in the box but nothing was given and neither side could conjure a late winner.

South Wales Argus:

Rowberry made three changes to the side that started in the defeat to Hartlepool, with Joe Day keeping his spot in goal despite Nick Townsend’s return to fitness.

Aaron Lewis got the nod ahead of Ryan Haynes at left-back while Robbie Willmott and James Waite came into midfield for Matty Dolan and the injured Ollie Cooper.

Bradford started on the front foot, bossing the early possession without making Day work.

The first chance came at the other end in the 11th minute when Finn Azaz cut onto his left but his (rather weak) shot was cleared by Yann Songo’o in front of goalkeeper Alex Bass.

That was swiftly followed by Dom Telford flicking a yard wide from a Cameron Norman cross, although Bass had it covered.

Bradford were playing off targetman Andy Cook while the Exiles looked a threat on the break with Telford having another opening after 21 minutes when Songo’o did well to block after the striker, with the element of surprise, worked the ball onto his weaker right.

County worked the ball superbly in midfield to conjure an opening approaching the half hour but sadly it was Scot Bennett with the shot from distance rather than Azaz, Waite or Willmott and it flew high and wide.

Willmott got his chance for a strike after 35 minutes but his left-footed effort from a clearance out of the box was straight at Bass.

County were on top and firing in the shots but Bradford finally gave Day some work in the 39th minute after a break from a Cook flick-on.

Jamie Walker broke to the edge of the area but his shot, after a deflection off the covering James Clarke, was claimed by the Exiles stopper at the second attempt.

It was scoreless at the break but Rowberry would have urged his players to just keep plugging away.

They were agonisingly close to getting their noses in front two minutes after the restart when Waite jinked into the box and his cross just eluded Rob Street but found Norman, whose powerful effort was well stopped by Bass.

Bradford went straight down the other end and enjoyed their brightest moment with Day getting down swiftly to superbly deny Callum Cooke.

The Bantams went even closer after 54 minutes when a botched cross nearly led to the opener only for Day to scramble smartly and tip onto the top of the bar.

It was much, much more frantic and it took more heroics from the Exiles ‘keeper to ensure Bradford didn’t lead when Walker, who started inside his own half, was in on goal from a ball that was pumped forward. Day stood tall to block as Norman chased back.

The right-back was then involved at the other end when he went down under pressure in the box only for referee Marc Edwards, to the frustration of Rowberry, to wave away the appeals.

County were under serious pressure with the Bantams faithful loudly getting behind their team as Cook and Alex Gilliead failed to hit the target with chances in the box.

Telford was booked for a poor tackle on lively sub Dion Pereira that sparked handbags and further cautions for Street and Bradford central defender Paudie O’Connor.

County were hanging on and Rowberry turned to his bench after 72 minutes, bringing on Ryan Haynes for Clarke and Alex Fisher for Street.

The visitors couldn’t hang onto the ball and captain Matty Dolan came on to steady the ship when Bennett limped off in the 82nd minute, an introduction that would have been made even if there hadn’t been an injury.

Perhaps it was the changes, but County stalled Bradford’s progress until Azaz gifted the ball away in the 88th minute only for Charles Vernam to drag his shot wide from outside the box.

The Exiles pushed for a dramatic winner in five minutes of added time but Mickey Demetriou’s driven cross agonisingly flashed across goal without a touch.

That would have been a smash and grab but in the end County had to settle for a hard-fought point.

Bradford: Bass, Hendrie, O’Connor (captain), Songo’o, Foulds, Watt, Evans, Cooke, Walker, Gilliead, Cook.
Substitutes: O’Donnell, Vernam, Kelleher, Sutton, Pereira, Lavery, Delfouneso.
Yellow cards: O’Connor

County: Day, Norman, Clarke (Haynes 72), Demetriou (captain), Lewis, Bennett (Dolan 82), Willmott, Waite, Azaz, Telford, Street (Fisher 72).
Substitutes: Townsend, Bright, Ellison, Collins.
Yellow cards: Telford, Street

Referee: Marc Edwards
Attendance: 14,716 (297 County)