Hartlepool reserves 0

City reserves 0

A very young City side thoroughly deserved a point in the goalless draw with Hartlepool United in the Pontin's Holidays League at Billingham Town Football Club.

Danny Forrest, 20 at the weekend, would have been the oldest player in the City squad had it not been for trialist goalkeeper Gareth Downey, three years his senior, who was drafted in as a late replacement with both Donovan Ricketts and Nathan Thackeray injured. And it was Downey - recommended by goalkeeping coach Jim Montgomery - who kept City in the game, bringing off some fine saves and impressing the watching Colin Todd and Bobby Davison.

City had the better of the opening exchanges. Following a fourth-minute corner, Forrest forced a good a reaction save from Pools' keeper Dimitrious Konstantopolous.

A minute later Andrew Appleby was thwarted when an excellent shot was blocked brilliantly by Craig Bentham, who raced back into the area to lift the ball high and on to the bar before it rebounded back into play.

Five minutes before half-time, City lost Tom Penford with an ankle injury, 16-year old Patrick McGuire coming on as substitute.

Hartlepool nearly took the lead just five minutes into the second period when Michael Maidens picked the ball up on the right wing and went past two players before unleashing a left-foot shot from 25 yards on to the woodwork.

In the 70th minute a Danny Forrest pile-driver ricocheted off a Pools defender in the area and a minute later Konstantopoulos was almost beaten when a bizarre backward header by one of his players required a brilliant diving save to keep the game level.

Then Clifford charged in on goal but was offside. In the final minute McGuire was desperately unlucky with his shot went inches wide of the left upright.

Hartlepool United: Konstantopoulos, Ross, Brackstone, P Turnbull, N Wilkinson, Craddock, Emms (Istead), S Turnbull , Foley (Brown), Appleby, Maidens (Jones). Subs: Low, Winter

Bradford City: Downey, Denton, O'Brien, Wright, Bentham, Penford (McGuire), Colbeck, Sanasy (Littlefair), Ekoku (Clifford), Forrest, Flynn. Subs: Brown, Aujla.