City avoided a fourth loss on the bounce after getting the half-time ‘hairdryer’ treatment from Peter Taylor.

Jason Price’s first goal of his loan rescued a 1-1 draw with Accrington – an equaliser which left Stanley boss John Coleman fuming with referee Tony Bates.

The Bantams had needed a rocket from their own manager after a dreadful first-half display which saw them booed off by the Valley Parade crowd. They responded with a spirited effort to force the first home stalemate of the season.

Number two Wayne Jacobs revealed: “The first half wasn’t good enough and the players were told that in no uncertain terms. The second half was much more like how we’ve been playing.

“It was disappointing from the staff’s point of view to play like that. We’d given the team as much information as we can and told them that you can’t let Accrington settle down.

“They are a good passing side who play with energy and you’ve got to match them. We didn’t do that in the first half.

“One or two looked edgy and you’ve got to be better than that. The players were told that they had to be brave in the second half and I think they did that.”

Stanley, who are still searching for their first away win, led through a Phil Edwards penalty after Tom Adeyemi had handled in the box. Coleman thought the young midfielder should have been sent off – one of several calls he felt did not go Accrington’s way.

Coleman complained: “There were ten to 15 decisions that went against us. Maybe Bradford have an allotted amount of corners because several weren’t corners; they had throw-ins that weren’t throw-ins and fouls given that weren’t fouls.

“I’m devastated we haven’t won because we won’t get a better chance. It’s two points thrown away because our keeper hasn’t had a save to make.”

Coleman also claimed that James Hanson fouled keeper Ian Dunbavin in their clash which led to Price scoring soon after the break.

He said: “The lads are blazing because they think it was a foul. And if it’s not a foul, then it’s dangerous play.”

Omar Daley was left out of City’s starting line-up but came on for Leon Osborne at the start of the second half. Jacobs admitted they did not want to take the risk of Daley suffering another setback with his hamstring.

He said: “Omar is one of those that haven’t been playing a lot of games regularly all season. We didn’t want to put him in a position where you might have to miss him again.”