STEPHEN Darby believes City’s current run of draws should not dent confidence ahead of the reunion with Phil Parkinson.

The Bantams missed the chance to go level with new League One leaders Scunthorpe after Bristol Rovers hit back to claim a late point at Valley Parade.

It was the fourth game in a row to finish 1-1 – and a third stalemate in four home outings for Stuart McCall’s men.

But City, who now begin their preparations to face Parkinson’s Bolton next weekend, are still unbeaten and Darby sees no reason to feel downcast.

The defender said: “It’s disappointing we couldn’t hold on at the end but there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

“We should have won it but we could say that with every one we’ve drawn. We can’t get disheartened.

“We’ve just got to keep going and doing the right things. Do that and I’m sure that they will turn into wins sooner rather than later.”

Bolton lost for the first time as did Northampton to leave City as the only side in League One yet to be beaten. They are one of only two undefeated sides left in the Football League alongside Carlisle.

James Meredith’s first goal for a year had put City in front after referee Andy Haines halted play for three minutes when two drones were spotted flying over Valley Parade.

The Football Association will ask City for their observations about the incident but they will not face any sanctions. West Yorkshire Police are still looking for the culprits and will hold further talks with the club this week.

Stadium manager David Dowse, who alerted fourth official Joe Simpson to the drones, said: “They are quite short-distance devices so we suspect it was somebody in the immediate vicinity.

“We have been made aware of drones before by the football authorities. They have been included in our match-day operational orders for the past 18 months.

“Under law, you are not allowed to fly them over an assembly of more than 150 people because of safety concerns.

“There were two of them at half-time but they seemed to have gone away before the second half started.

“But I kept an eye out and made the fourth official aware of it when they returned - one was flying particularly low.

“He informed the referee very quickly and the standard procedure is to take the players off the pitch.”

McCall insisted the short delay had no effect on the game – “it gave the lads a chance to have a drink” – and Meredith headed in within ten minutes of play resuming.

Darby was delighted to see the Australian pop up on the scoresheet for the first time since netting in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on the same weekend 12 months ago.

He added: “Mezza deserved that because he’s always going up and down the pitch.

“We know the ability he’s got and he’s been absolutely brilliant since he’s been here. He’s honest and will work all day long.

“One of his strengths is getting forward and providing that bit of width from full back.

“We were on the front foot, kept putting the pressure on, got into some great areas and played some good football.

“It is disappointing that we couldn’t see it through but that’s something we can learn from."