Sore point for Evans

By NICK PATTISON at the Abbey Stadium

BRADFORD ended their own dry January by spoiling the fun for leaders Cambridge.

The Bantams were playing their first game in 2021 after three postponements.

But they showed no signs of rust with a battling display to frustrate the home side – and were left cursing an incredible near-miss by Gareth Evans.

The former Portsmouth man, still looking for his first goal since returning to Bradford, saw his shot hit one post and roll along the line before hitting the other.

“Luck was on our side with that one, but they didn’t get behind us too often,” said Cambridge boss Mark Bonner (right).

“With the conditions we’ve had to play on in the last month, to come out with the points return we have is brilliant.

“We shouldn’t turn our nose up too much. We’ve made a big thing about the long breaks that opponents have been having, but it’s showing that they’ve got plenty in their legs.

“Since we last played Bradford, they’ve had three games and we’ve had seven and that shows a little bit.”

Cambridge also lost keeper Dimitar Mitov after the Bulgarian popped his shoulder making an early save from Danny Rowe.

League Two top scorer Paul Mullin had several chances to increase his 20-goal tally. He was twice denied by superb saves from Sam Hornby and also scooped a closerange chance over the bar.

But Bradford’s point extended their unbeaten run to six games under interim bosses Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars.

And Trueman could feel hard done by with the one that got away from Evans.

He said: “We thought it was in as soon as it left Evo’s foot. But the momentum of the ball changed and somehow it didn’t go in.

“Credit where it’s due, Cambridge are top of the league for a reason. But it’s about chances and I thought we created some good ones.”