League Two: Newport County battle back for 1-1 draw with Bradford

The Exiles earned a share of the spoils against one of the division’s best travellers yet they will feel it could have been more after a strong performance and an early talking point.

That came after 20 minutes when Bradford goalkeeper Harry Lewis was confused by the rugby 22, which is painted green for football games, and picked up the ball outside his area.

County’s Charlie McNeill was the nearest player, just ahead of defender Sam Stubbs, yet referee Sam Allison deemed it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity and went for a caution rather than dismissal.

Nick Pope could have done with such generosity when his red card against Liverpool meant he missed Newcastle’s League Cup final loss.

The incident infuriated County’s players, staff and supporters, with their mood not helped by Bradford hitting the front after 35 minutes when Andy Cook exploited some weak defending to hit his 20th league goal of the campaign.

County were level after 61 minutes when Mickey Demetriou’s cross from the right wing took a touch off Liam Ridehalgh on its way into the far corner.

The hosts pushed for a winner but had to settle for a share of the spoils after another performance that suggests they will climb towards mid-table in the run-in.

TUSSLE: County midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh is held off by Liam Ridehalgh (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Graham Coughlan made one change to the XI that drew in Grimsby with McNeill in for Calum Kavanagh.

The Middlesbrough forward missed out entirely through injury with midfielder Sam Bowen called up to the bench.

Bradford had kept five clean sheets on a six-game unbeaten streak on the road that had helped them climb into the mix for automatic promotion.

It was a subdued start with the flow not helped by an early lengthy stoppage while Bantams central defender Matty Platt got his head bandaged because of a cut.

There were seven minutes on the clock when County had a glorious chance after Cameron Norman was in acres of space down the right but his shot in the box was blocked and the ball was scrambled clear.

Another half chance came from the right after 16 minutes when a corner was cleared back to Aaron Lewis and he fired in a cross that should have been attacked by somebody but wasn’t.

Then came the controversy after 20 minutes when Harry Lewis was relieved to see Mr Allinson opt for yellow rather than red, with the resulting free-kick fired a couple of yards over by Aaron Lewis.

County were on top but then fell behind after 35 minutes when Cook shrugged off Farquharson, nipped past Mickey Demetriou and fired past Joe Day for his 23rd goal of the season despite Matt Baker’s desperate slide on the cover.

Suddenly Bradford were alive and the Exiles stopper denied Sam Stubbs with a save to his right and the hosts were glad to hear the half-time whistle to gather their thoughts.

County suffered more frustration after the restart when a scramble was eventually cleared after half-chances for Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Aaron Lewis and Harry Charsley, raising fears it was going to be one of those days.

But then the Exiles got a stroke of luck to level just past the hour, Demetriou swinging in a cross from the right that went in off Ridehalgh (although the captain got the congratulations).

It was a tight contest and it was almost County that hit the front in the 80th minute when Norman’s header from a corner was palmed away.

They were pushing for victory against the promotion hopefuls, putting on pressure through set pieces.

Coughlan brought on Aaron Wildig and James Waite for Charsley and Moriah-Welsh with eight to go, then Will Evans for McNeill.

Evans was denied by a block at the near post at the start of added time as County pushed for a late winner, but they had to be content with 1-1.

County: Day, Norman, Baker, Farquharson, Demetriou (captain), Aaron Lewis, Bennett, Moriah-Welsh (Wildig 82), Charsley (Waite 82), Bogle, McNeill (Evans 85).

Substitutes not used: Townsend, Clarke, Bowen, Rai.

Goal: Ridehalgh (own goal).

Yellow: Moriah-Welsh

Bradford goal: Cook.

Yellow: Harry Lewis, Ridehalgh, Costelloe.

Referee: Sam Allison

Attendance: 4,411 (616 Bradford)