Bradford City skipper Ashley Ward today admitted: "We need to rediscover our scoring spark."

City looked toothless as they notched a fourth successive home draw in a goalless bore against Derby.

The Bantams stretched their unbeaten record on their own turf to seven games but six of those have finished stalemates.

They have managed only six goals in eight games since ramming four past Rotherham. And while City are comfortably in mid-table, Ward knows they should be doing better.

He said: "Derby was frustrating because like a lot of the drawn games we were the better side and should have won. When you look at the points that have gone missing then we could be much higher up the table.

"Last year everyone was saying that if we kept clean sheets we'd be a good side. We were top scorers in the league but shipping in too many.

"Now the goals aren't coming but we're keeping it tight at the back and look solid. It used to be 4-3 or 3-2 either way and now it's 0-0 or 1-1.

"It's difficult to find the balance and we need to work harder on the creative side of the game."

Ward, whose double against Rotherham are his only goals so far, missed City's best chance of breaking the deadlock on Saturday. But there were few real openings against a side who finished with only nine men.

He added: "We got into good positions but didn't select the right ball. We'd shoot when we maybe should have crossed, and looked for a cross when the shot was on.

"Although we were on top, there were only two or three scrambles at the end of it and no real clear-cut chances."

Ward is keen to maintain his partnership with Michael Proctor, whose loan spell at City will be discussed with Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson this week.

He said: "It would be nice if we could keep him for the season if that's possible. Proc gives us another option up there and has played ever so well - and we need all the players we can get."

City, who have a reserve game at Newcastle tonight, are checking on injured duo Robert Molenaar (groin) and Wayne Jacobs (knee).