STUART McCall looked back on his first game back as City boss and admitted: "I knew it would be a draw."

The Bantams could not find the cutting edge to open up Port Vale in a goalless season opener at Valley Parade.

City had the best of the chances with Billy Clarke having a shot tipped on to the bar and Nathaniel Knight-Percival denied on the line in a dominant first half.

McCall was philosophical afterwards and said: "It was nailed on it was going to be a draw today. All my three previous games as a debut manager have been draws.

"I’m really pleased with the first hour. We did get a bit desperate and tired in the back-end of the game.

“We just needed the most important thing – a goal. We put crosses in, played some good football, the tempo and energy was all there.

“We had players missing but overall the positives were the first hour’s performance and the clean sheet."

Nathan Clarke and Timothee Dieng both missed out with calf injuries, forcing McCall to play Romain Vincelot at centre half. He also gave a senior debut to Danny Devine and the teenager did well in central midfield.