Sheffield Wednesday Reserves 1, Bradford City Reserves 1

Trialist Chib Chilaka was on target tonight as the Bantams reserves picked up their first point of the season at a wet and windy Stocksbridge.

Chilaka was on hand to fire City into a second-half lead in front of the watching Peter Taylor but opponents Sheffield Wednesday were able to respond seven minutes from time through Vadaine Oliver.

Along with Chilaka, fellow trialists Sebastien Carole and Malvin Kamara were also involved as the trio battled to earn themselves a longer stay at Valley Parade.

Omar Daley, Leon Osborne, Louis Horne and Lloyd Saxton featured from the start as well.

With barely two minutes on the clock, Sheffield Wednesday almost struck the opening blow.

A neat flick-on from tall Wednesday forward Oliver released his strike partner Nathan Modest into space inside the Bantams' penalty area.

Modest struck the ball sweetly on the bounce but his effort flicked off the top of the crossbar and spun away.

Luke Boden then went close twice in quick succession for the Owls as the home side started strongly.

His first effort from distance narrowly missed Lloyd Saxton's far post by inches.

His second attempt moments later did manage to test the Bantams keeper but his header was straight at the shot-stopper.

The strong Stocksbridge wind was playing havoc for Wednesday keeper Arron Jameson, whose goal-kicks were barely making the halfway line as a result.

Despite bearing the brunt of most of the strong gusts, the Owls still enjoyed the better of proceedings as the half progressed.

Both James Cottingham and Modest fired narrowly wide as the home side continued to look spritely.

City were managing to restrict Wednesday to few chances in front of goal though and, despite lacking much of a goal threat themselves, they were looking comfortable in the totesport.com League Central Division fixture.

That nearly all changed just before the half-hour mark, when the Bantams were grateful to Saxton for keeping them level after Modest raced clear on goal.

A nicely-weighted pass from Joel Magill played the Owls striker in behind the Bantams defence but Saxton was on hand to save with his left leg as Modest picked his spot.

Saxton's opposite number was called into action shortly afterwards when Carole turned away from Nick Haywood and took aim. The angled drive was well struck but Jameson managed to turn the effort around the post.

City finished the half the stronger as they created some decent openings.

Daley went agonisingly close to finding the opener when he surged into Wednesday's penalty area but his fierce drive with pushed away by Jameson.

Osborne was the next to test Jameson with a similar effort but that was also turned away by the Owls keeper as City suddenly begin to look more potent.

City remained unchanged for the start of the second period, though Wednesday were forced into one alteration after right back Jack Barnett suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder just before half-time.

Both sides went close at the start of the half.

Oliver saw his rising shot just whistle over the top of Saxton's goal from an angle, while Daley fired narrowly wide of Jameson's far post after cutting inside from the right flank.

City managed to take the lead in the 53rd minute as Chilaka did his chances of earning a contract no harm at all.

The powerful forward managed to outmuscle Cecil Nyoni to a through ball that appeared to hold up in the wind before rounding Jameson and firing into an unguarded goal.

The goal was his first for the Bantams in any competition, and was the reserves' first this season.

Daley went close with a rasping drive from just outside the area shortly afterwards as City's bright start to the second half continued.

Moments before Daley's effort, Kamara was forced to stop for treatment after receiving a blow to his calf. After a brief break from the action though, he was able to continue.

With the wind now in their faces, City were, at times, struggling to clear their lines as several attempted clearances seemed to hang in the strong gales.

Horne had to be on the money with his last-ditch tackle on Modest when the striker nipped in behind the Bantams backline, but, on the whole, City seemed to be coping well with the wind disadvantage.

Boden did manage to cause City's defence a moment's panic with around ten minutes to go but his low shot just fizzed past Saxton's far post from around eight yards out.

Wednesday kept pushing though and eventually were able to find an equaliser with only seven minutes remaining.

Oliver was on hand to beat Saxton from just inside the Bantams' area with a sweet strike, using the outside of his boot.

With rain now lashing down, Saxton had to be alert to deny Oliver handing the Owls the lead moments later.

The Bantams keeper was able to smother his near-post effort from close range to ensure his side kept a share of the spoils.

Sheffield Wednesday Reserves: Arron Jameson (captain), Jack Barnett (Callum Pinhorn 46), Nick Haywood, Cecil Nyoni, Sam Eckhardt, Joel Magill, James Cottingham (Patrick Lacey 71), Liam Palmer, Vadaine Oliver, Nathan Modest, Luke Boden. Substitutes (not used): Sean Cuff, Brandon Cardwell, Matt Tumilty, Scott Canham, Sam Mir.

Bradford City Reserves: Lloyd Saxton, Ben Hudson, Ryan Harrison, Alex Flett, Adam Robinson, Louis Horne (captain), Omar Daley, Leon Osborne, Sebastien Carole, Malvin Kamara, Chib Chilaka. Substitutes: Nathan Lawless, Chris Elliott, Joe Mitchell, Oliver Forsyth, Junior Lewis.

Referee: R Wigglesworth