JON Stead admits he is baffled by City's failure to end their home hoodoo.

Gillingham's stoppage-time equaliser left Phil Parkinson's men with only two league wins at Valley Parade – and Stead "fuming" at throwing away a game they bossed.

The on-loan striker said: "It's hard to take. I'm still struggling to get my head round it.

"We had enough to win the game comfortably and came off feeling that we'd lost it.

"The performance was fantastic and the positive way to look at it is that we've got another point and gone a third game unbeaten.

"We've moved forward from Doncaster (the last home game) and we're coming away disappointed that we've only drawn it. But it still really hurts."

City were on course for a first Valley Parade victory since October 4 when Andy Halliday's cross was diverted into his own net by Gillingham defender Leon Legge.

But Peter Taylor's side, who had scored their winner the previous week eight minutes into added time, struck back deep into stoppages.

City failed to cut out Ben Dickenson's corner and Antonio German equalised from close range.

Stead said: "I'm really disappointed on two points. We didn't take our chances to put the game to bed and the other one is not picking up men in the box – and it's costing us.

"We've thrown our bodies in, won headers and done everything right. Then in the 93rd minute, we don't.

"I want us to score as many goals as we can and take the pressure off the back lads because it's a difficult job for them. But we've also got to see games out and make sure those points mean everything."

Stead, who was replaced by James Hanson midway through the second half after tiring, believes City's performances are still improving despite another setback on their own soil.

"We try and focus on our last three games now, which have been good," he said.

"Obviously we want to come away from home games with more. But we battered them and their keeper pulled off two unbelievable saves.

"One where I cut it back for Billy (Knott) and he tipped it on to the post. Then he got a touch on Hans's shot late on and did the same.

"It's disappointing but it's pleasing the way we're approaching games now."

City are back at Valley Parade again next weekend to face Leyton Orient and then host non-League opponents Dartford in the FA Cup.

On-loan Huddersfield hitman Stead is confident the Bantams can shake Saturday's frustration out the system.

He said: "We need a big effort again. The lads were dead on their feet – especially me and I didn't manage to get to the end of the game.

"It was there for us, screaming out for us to win again. But we've gone another game unbeaten and we'll build on it."

New signing Francois Zoko was an unused substitute after joining on loan from Blackpool on Saturday morning. The 31-year-old Ivorian striker is with City until January 17.

Parkinson said: "He's got pace, he's direct and has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net. He scored goals last year for Stevenage and I feel he could be a good asset for us."

City will know more about Filipe Morais today after the Portuguese quit the game early with a shoulder injury. He went to hospital afterwards for x-rays.