Livewire Kyle saves the day for Argyle

PLYMOUTH had goalkeeper Kyle Letheren to thank as they moved a further point clear of the League One relegation zone with a draw at Bradford.

Improving Argyle have lost only one of their last nine games but needed a couple of fine saves from Letheren to deny the Yorkshire side.

Bradford remain second from bottom but are level on points with the three sides above them.

David Hopkin’s team would have been celebrating a much-needed win but for Letheren, who pulled off three key saves – the best to keep out Eoin Doyle’s header.

Plymouth boss Derek Adams said: “It was an important save at that moment because Bradford were in the ascendancy.

“It was a good header towards the back post and he was able to claw it away.

“It was a good point for us. I thought we had the better of the first half and Bradford the second.

“If, earlier on in the season, we had defended like we have done here then we would be in a far better position.”

Bradford manager Hopkin said: “I asked the players at halftime to lift it attacking the Kop end. The fans were fantastic. I’m disappointed that we’ve not got the three points because the players showed fantastic character after losing here to Fleetwood last week.

“Some of our movement and play was great. The roof would have come off Valley Parade if David Ball had scored at the end.

“We created chances and in their half but we also had to be careful we weren’t caught by a sucker punch. Freddie Ladapo is one of the best strikers in this league.”

Bradford had the first chance in a tense first half when Jack Payne shot over after Lewis O’Brien took the ball off centre-half Niall Canavan. Graham Carey went close to breaking the deadlock, his left-foot drive rattling the foot of a post.

Bradford looked livelier after the break and David Ball twice threatened the Plymouth goal. He half-volleyed over the bar from O’Donnell’s long clearance and then struck a post.

Letheren pushed away an effort from Paul Caddis as the home side continued to press. The keeper further frustrated Bradford with a fine finger-tip save to keep out Doyle’s header from a Caddis cross.