Oldham 1, City 1

Phil Parkinson did not get the wish he really wanted on his 46th birthday as City slogged it out for another draw.

The Bantams chief had targeted a win at Boundary Park yesterday to maintain a League One play-off spot as his team head into a near-fortnight break from action.

Instead they will spend their free weekend on the outside fringes looking in, although the dogged point against the Latics did lift them up a place to eighth.

City had struck first as Nahki Wells stretched his impressive goal-per-start tally to 14. But Oldham, who had won their previous four in a row, were level almost straight away.

The second half was a more cagey affair but Parkinson will be pleased with the sturdy defensive efforts to ensure the game finished in a fair stalemate.

Yet it was the sixth time this season that City had been unable to turn a half-time draw into a full-time win. The last time that was achieved was nine months ago at York.

Nathan Doyle’s spell on the sidelines proved to be a short one as he won a quick recall at the expense of Jason Kennedy. Mark Yeates, who fired the equaliser against Notts County, again had to settle for a bench spot as Garry Thompson retained his right-wing role.

This was the closest City will get in terms of a local derby this season, with just over 30 miles separating the clubs. The fans had travelled in force, with 2,742 offering a raucous backing on the other side of the Pennines.

City had failed to win any of the last seven meetings between the teams, most recently a JP Trophy northern area semi-final in Parkinson’s first term in charge when a similar away turn-out saw the Latics stroll it 2-0.

The Bantams were straight on the front foot as Wells crossed back to Thompson in the corner of the box. He had room to manoeuvre a shot but dragged his effort wide of the far post.

It was a good chance so early in the game and ensured the action started at a fast tempo, James Dayton responding with a drive straight at Jon McLaughlin.

Slack control from James Meredith gave the Oldham winger another chance to run into the box. City’s left back recovered enough to make a challenge and referee David Webb was unmoved by home appeals when Dayton went to ground.

A dangerous surge from midfielder James Tarkowski set up Danny Philliskirk for an angled shot but Matthew Bates slid across to block the threat.

The lively entertainment continued as City came within a coat of paint of leading. Thompson’s long throw was flicked towards goal by James Hanson and Wells turned it against the Oldham bar.

The ball bounced down and out but the danger was not done for the Latics as Gary Jones fired the ball back in, the shot taking a wicked deflection before Mark Oxley turned it over the bar.

McLaughlin saved from Oldham skipper Korey Smith and then produced a vital block to keep the scores level after a Doyle mistake. Debutant Ellis Plummer fed Jonson Clarke-Harris in on goal but the City number one stuck out a leg to deny him.

From nearly 1-0 down, City immediately went 1-0 up as Thompson drilled a low cross towards the near post where Wells nipped in front of Jonathan Grounds to convert into the roof of the net.

But City’s joy proved short-lived as, within two minutes, James Wesolowski ran purposefully at their back four before offloading to his left for Clarke-Harris, who hammered the ball past McLaughlin at the near post.

That sparked the home crowd into life and they were baying for blood when Hanson caught right back Matteo Lanzoni competing for a high ball. The fans wanted a red card but City’s target man received a yellow.

Play continued to bounce from one end to the other. Oldham forced back-to-back corners before Kyel Reid went tumbling from Tarkowski’s tackle in the penalty area – referee Webb was equally unimpressed by the appeals for a penalty or for a dive.

But Oldham had taken more control since drawing level, with their effective passing game keeping the visitors on their toes. Smith, in particular, was creating problems with his runs from midfield.

Rory McArdle moved within one booking of a ban after a soft caution for a shoulder-barge. There was nothing so gentle about Tarkowski’s connection from Dayton’s corner but his bullet header flew wide of City’s near post.

City then picked up a contentious third booking when Reid wriggled his way into space in the area before getting a nudge from behind by Sidney Schmeltz. Webb immediately blew for an infringement – but infuriated the visitors by awarding the free-kick Oldham’s way.

Reid, who recently protested his innocence that he was no diver, received another caution for ‘simulation’ – following one a few weeks ago against Wolves – as Parkinson made his angry point to the fourth official on the touchline.

Oldham boss Lee Johnson used all his substitutes and Adam Rooney, one of the new arrivals, drove a cross against the arm of Bates. But Webb once again waved off penalty pleas.

Loose play from Doyle gave Schmeltz time and space to attack the Bantams backline but the Dutchman scuffed his ambitious shot from 25 yards. Doyle looked to atone at the other end but his shot was easily charged down.

McLaughlin dived at Philliskirk’s feet and McArdle blocked a Smith shot as Oldham looked to pick up the tempo.

Parkinson made his first change with 12 minutes left as Mark Yeates made his customary appearance in place of Thompson.

City were still having to defend manfully and another McArdle block defused potential danger from Wesolowski before Clarke-Harris thrashed the rebound into the crowd.

Meredith was having problems with substitute Michael Petrasso and the young Canadian ran at him again before unleashing a cross-shot just over the City bar.

Then City’s bench were once more up in arms as Wells went to ground in the corner of the box. Again the official gave nothing, with Parkinson later claiming it was the strongest call of the lot.

Attendance: 7,180