Bradford City 2 - 2 Rochdale

Bradford City v Rochdale

Rochdale had to settle for a point despite leading twice against play-off hopefuls Bradford City at Valley Parade. Joe Bunney twice gave Dale the lead only for Bradford to hit back. Grant Holt, back at the club 10 years after leaving, almost marked his second debut for the club with a goal but he hit the post late on.

The announcement of Grant Holt's signing gave a buzz to everybody with a Dale persuasion after the striker opted on a return to Spotland for the remainder of the season, although the big man had to wait for his return to the pitch after being named a substitute. Nial Canavan made his debut after signing on loan from Scunthorpe earlier in the week, he lined up alongside Ashley Eastham in defence.

The game got off to a lively start with Dale on the attack from the first whistle. Inside two minute’s Matt Lund’s dipping volley was turned around the post by Williams with Canavan almost making a dream start to his Dale career with a powerful header from Rose’s subsequent corner.

Josh Lillis at the other end did well to keep out Tony McMahon’s 30 yard freekick.

Joe Bunney, playing in a more central strikers role, opened the scoring when he sent a deft header past Ben Williams in the Bradford goal after a terrific cross from Joe Rafferty.

The usually vociferous home fans were silenced by the Dale goal but Bradford pressure as the half wore on saw them come out of their shell once more. A quickly taken free-kick caught Dale out with McMahon crossing for Rory McArdle to tap home against his former club.

Dale started the second half much like the first and re-took the lead six minutes after the re-start. A neat turn on the edge of the box by Bunney gave him space to curl a wonderful low shot around Williams for his second of the afternoon.

Again, Dale couldn’t keep the lead as Bradford hit back from a corner. McMahon’s deep flag kick was met by substitute Steven Davies who buried his header past Lillis.

From then on, the bulk of the chances fell Dale’s way but they just couldn’t breach the Bradford goal.

Mendez-Laing should have pulled the trigger when well place but opted to pass and the chance went begging.

Bunney was denied his third, and the match ball, by a stunning one-handed save by Williams.

The introduction of Grant Holt was met warmly by the travelling faithful as they dreamed of a fairytale return for the striker and it nearly came true. A dangerous Rose free-kick was just missed at the back post by both Canavan and Holt as they slid in.

Holt went even closer in the closing stages. Great work by Bunney to make room for a cross was met by Holt at the near post and although he steered his shot beyond Williams, the ball grazed the far post.

Dale boss, Keith Hill, was unhappy to only take a point from the game but was much happier with the performance of his side.

Attendance: 17,936

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Rose, Lund, Allen, Mendez-Laing (Holt 73), Henderson (c)(Syers 78), Bunney (Bennett 90)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Camps, Noble-Lazarus, Alessandra

Bradford: Williams, Darby (c), McArdle, Burke, Meredith, McMahon, Knott (Marshall 83), Evans, Reid, Hanson (Davies 46), Thomas (Clarke 64)
Subs: (not used) Cracknell, Clarke, Cullen, Leigh

Referee: Mr S Duncan
Assistants: Mr C Akers and Mr P Hodskinson
Fourth Official: Mr B Cropp