Nicky Law today christened his City troops: The team that don't know how to get beaten.

The Bantams stretched their unbeaten start to the season last night with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

Home boss Trevor Francis was quizzed by police afterwards for his furious reaction to substitute Andy Tod's goal. He was sent off by referee Paul Armstrong after allegedly punching reserve keeper Alex Kolinko by the side of the dug-out.

But while Francis faced a dressing down from Palace chairman Simon Jordan, Law again heaped praise on the never-say-die attitude of his slimline squad.

He said: "Against the odds we've done it again. I'm envious when I look at the number of players teams like Palace have but the 18 lads in our dressing room don't know how to get beaten.

"They are there to the death from the start to the finish and I can't praise them highly enough. They've got a great spirit which we've tried to instil in them and the two performances this season are what these lads are about.

"We played on Sunday, had a four-and-a-half-hour journey down to London on Monday night and then went out and played as well as that. Wolves and Palace are both expected to be up there and I don't think there has been a lot of difference in the teams.

"We were dealt a massive blow with David Wetherall going out with his hip injury. But Peter Atherton came in and did a magnificent job - considering that it was his first game in a year after a major knee reconstruction he was amazing.

"But now it will be whether he can recover in time for Saturday because I don't think Dave will make it. That's when we will get found out because we haven't got the quality in the depth of our squad."

Francis said: "Sometimes difficult situations can galvanise a group of players and that is what we've seen with Bradford."

Law was hoping to clinch Gus Uhlenbeek's signature today as the Dutchman's short-term contract expired.

Law added: "We've got first option on him and I'm hopeful we will go some way to securing his signature. He's been a big plus in the two games and will be sorely missed if we didn't have him."

City reserves are expected to field a very youthful side when they kick off their new season tonight against Manchester City at Ewen Fields, Hyde.