HARROGATE expected the City crowd to turn, said boss Simon Weaver.

The Sulphurites continued their excellent record at Valley Parade - where they have now lost only once in five visits since becoming an EFL club.

Weaver’s side were denied a fourth win at their Yorkshire rivals by Jamie Walker’s late, late header.

The long-standing Harrogate manager was unhappy with the manner of the equaliser but delighted with their overall display.

Weaver said: “I was disappointed only to achieve a draw because the standard of performance was high.

“I thought we deserved the three points but we don’t want to be known as the unlucky team, the last-minute team. We’ve got to be better at sealing the deal.

“It was a fairly deep free-kick lofted into the box and when you see a small player being the goal-scorer and running away in delight, you’ve obviously got to be disappointed with not dealing with the situation.

“We looked rock solid apart from the dying seconds and a set-piece from deep that has cost us the two extra points.

“I’ve got complete empathy when you come to a big stadium like this and they are desperate to get a win.

“We said the crowd will turn. Handle those moments, try not to hide away from the ball but get on it.

“When we did play and we were brave, we seemed to open them up. There’s a lot to be encouraged by.”

Former City loanee Matty Daly returned to Valley Parade with a goal for the second season in a row. He had also netted the winner in last November’s FA Cup clash.

“Matty has got a goal in him and I feel he was more prevalent in the game because we passed it through the thirds,” added Weaver.

“We’ve got to commit to this style and believe in it.

“We’ve got the talent on paper in comparison to the opposition and if they are in an organised tactical set-up, there’s no reason why we can’t keep demanding more from the players.

“We don’t just want to be known as plucky Harrogate who roll up their sleeves and fight all the way.

“That’s an obvious prerequisite but we feel we’ve got a talented squad now. We’ve recruited well and we can expect to go from strength to strength.

“We deserved more but you can’t be unlucky conceding a goal like that. We’ve still got to demand more from both ends of the pitch.”

Midfielder George Thomson admitted Harrogate should have seen the job through.

“We’re gutted,” he said. “It’s a tough one to take because I think we looked solid for the vast majority of the game.

“We were in a good place and it’s a killer to concede in the last minute.

“It might sound bizarre but in that changing room it doesn’t feel like we should think a point is good enough for us coming to Bradford.

“The mentality is different. We want to win games and come to places like Bradford and pick up the full three points.”