A MAN who invaded the Valley Parade pitch during Bradford City's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Reading failed to attend a court hearing today.

Anthony Cheale, 34, was due to answer a charge of entering the playing area without lawful authority or excuse at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

Prior to the scheduled hearing, Cheale, of Heysham Drive, Bradford, was ordered not to go within 100m of any football ground on England and Wales on a match day.

Prosecutor Richard Davies applied for a bench warrant for Cheale, which was granted by the court.