CITY 0 LINCOLN 0
THE League One summit continues to elude the Bantams as they shot their first home blank of the season.
A win would have seen them leapfrog new leaders Stockport but despite stretching their unbeaten run at the University of Bradford Stadium to a 13th game, they had to settle for a fourth straight draw.
It was heavy going rather than heavy metal for the first half.
Graham Alexander had talked about the full-on football that has kept Valley Parade fans on the edge of their seats this season.
But there was not much evidence of that in a flat 45 minutes played in front of a quiet audience.
City picked things up in the second half – with a huge chance going begging right at the end - but could not find the breakthrough. They could not complain at the outcome.
There will always be a bond between these two clubs after the shared horrors of Valley Parade 40 years ago. Chief executive Ryan Sparks and Lincoln patron Roger Bates laid wreaths at the fire memorial ahead of the game.
This was the first time City and Lincoln had locked horns in league action since Peter Taylor’s days. The only two meetings since had been in cup competitions – with the Imps winning both and scoring eight in the process.
Top spot again beckoned for the Bantams with victory but they were up against a decent opponent who were right on their heels among the early front-runners. Lincoln had also won their previous four midweek outings.
City were handed a boost with the return of Antoni Sarcevic who had missed Saturday’s draw at Stevenage. He came in for Tyreik Wright, who dropped to the bench, in the only change to the starting line-up.
One-time Phil Parkinson loanee Adam Reach was in the visiting ranks and set up the first chance inside two minutes with a cross swept over the bar by James Collins.
Rob Street, who gave City problems with Doncaster last April, then latched onto Joe Wright’s headed clearance and half-volleyed over.
The place felt a lot quieter than usual as Lincoln did most of the early running. Sam Walker had to be sharp off his line with a sliding clearance after Rob House caught Neill Byrne dallying.
Tom Bayliss rattled another effort over from 25 yards with City struggling to find a decent spell of possession.
They needed a spark from somewhere and Ciaran Kelly could not provide it with an ambitious long-ranger that landed high in the TL Dallas Stand.
Frustration was bubbling when Jenson Metcalfe had his pocket picked in the City box and Reach shot wide.
Will Swan did better with an effort that flew across goal and, as they looked to build momentum, Metcalfe was inches away with a curler from outside the penalty area.
But it was still very subdued with none of the buzz you expect from home games this season.
As half-time approached, Max Power, searching for his first City goal, snapped a shot well wide before Walker made a low save from Reach. But it was hardly end to end.
Andy Cook’s arrival for Swan provided a pick-me-up for the second half and brought up the number nine’s 200th appearance for City.
Joe Wright and Byrne both made important interventions to stop Justin Obikwu on the counter while Lincoln were attentive with a couple of early crosses as Cook lurked.
Fans from both sides stood to applaud in the 56th minute to remember the victims from May 11, 1985 – the tribute ending with a roar from the Kop.
Metcalfe then danced through a couple of challenges in a crowded Lincoln box but drove into the side-netting.
Sarcevic finally registered City’s first on-target shot after 66 minutes but it flew straight through to keeper George Wickens.
Collins volleyed well over as Lincoln responded. Ben House then swapped passes with Obikwu inside the City penalty area but Walker saved smartly at his near post.
Alexander made a treble switch going into the final 20 minutes – and Tyreik Wright almost provided an immediate assist for his namesake Joe with an inviting cross that bounced agonisingly out of the defender’s reach in front of goal.
Tommy Leigh nearly played in fellow sub Brad Halliday, who then shouted in vain for a handball when he had a shot blocked.
Tyreik Wright delivered another teasing ball into the mix but again it was just beyond the stretching Sarcevic.
City had a huge opportunity to break the stalemate as the game entered added time.
Tyreik Wright’s cross-shot was parried by Wickens and the ball ran invitingly to Leigh – who lofted over the inviting goal. It was the best opening of the evening and the collective groan said it all.
Wickens turned away Cook’s header as City won their first corner in the 92nd minute. But there was no way through – or past Stockport into pole position.
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