CITY’S goalless draw with Port Vale felt like a loss for Mark Trueman.

Last night’s stalemate at Valley Parade stretched the unbeaten run to five games for the interim bosses.

But the Bantams were unable to pierce their defensive opponents to make it four straight wins.

“It’s a sign of where this group of players are right now that it feels like a loss in that changing room,” admitted Trueman.

“Overall we had enough to win the game. We showed good signs in how we had to build the play a little bit more.

“The pitch was quite hard so we couldn’t go in behind them as much as we’d like. We had to be a bit more patient on the ball and switch the play.

“We had to use our full backs and get crosses into the box. I felt they took it on board second half and we created some good chances from that.”

Callum Cooke had City’s best chances and was twice denied by Port Vale keeper Scott Brown, who also made an important late save from Gareth Evans.

Trueman added: “Port Vale showed us a bit of respect which is a sign of where we are.

“We’d watched a lot of footage and they’d always been quite expansive. But they were more compact in their play and made it really hard for us.”

“We probably needed that little bit of luck around the box but fair play to their keeper, who made some great saves.”

Richard O’Donnell missed his first league game since January after picking up a thigh strain.

Sam Hornby deputised against his former club to keep City’s third clean sheet since Trueman and Conor Sellars were appointed.

But Vale boss John Askey was “seething” not to be awarded a second-half penalty when Hornby challenged Devante Rodney in a one-on-one and the striker went flying.

“I have seen them given,” said Trueman, “but it looked to me that Sam got some contact on the ball.

“He obviously had to pull out slightly because his momentum would take him outside the box.

“I’m pleased for Sam because he took his chance. It shows the confidence in this group of players that a keeper comes in and the back four are still as solid.

“We’ve limited them to one shot – which is something we pride ourselves on now and how we protect our box.”

O’Donnell’s injury will be assessed over the next couple of days but it is not thought to be serious.