STUART McCall praised City’s defensive steel after they frustrated Phil Parkinson’s Bolton at the Macron Stadium this afternoon.

The goalless stalemate – their fifth draw on the bounce – maintained the unbeaten start. More than 4,300 away fans roared City on in a tense affair which produced very few chances.

McCall said: “We’re still disappointed we haven’t come here and won. But the plus side is how well we’ve defended.

“It’s the narrowest park in the league and you see the throws that come in, the free-kicks and the corners.

“But I don’t think they had a chance from a set-play which is testament to the lads. They know the height and physical advantage but they defended manfully.”

“We know we need to be a bit more clinical in the final third. We should have got shots off on a couple of occasions.”

Mark Marshall felt he should have had a late penalty after a challenge from David Wheater but was booked instead for simulation.

McCall added: “Marshy is adamant it wasn’t a dive and the boy took him out. But I thought the ref was good.”

Parkinson said: “Their fans lifted some of the Bradford players, I know I used that many times when I was there.”