Fulham failed to take their chances again as they were held to a dour draw by Bradford City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Defences were very much on top in this forgettable stalemate although some of the finishing was particularly poor. Paul Jewell spurned the first chance of the afternoon, shooting straight at a relieved Jim Stannard after spinning smartly in the box. Leroy Rosenior’s effort at the other end was also rather powderpuff as he was forced wide having latched onto a header from Martin Pike.
Fulham dominated the second period as the rain fall by the banks of the Thames but couldn’t find a way past Bantams goalkeeper Paul Tomlinson. The former Sheffield United number one did well to deny John Marshall and Martin Pike, before he superbly smothered the latter’s cross with white shirts waiting in the centre. Bradford could have stolen the points but Jim Stannard kept out a fierce volley from Welsh international Robbie Jones.
Fulham piled on the pressure in the closing stages but were denied a penalty with five minutes left as referee Allan Gunn waved away appeals after Justin Skinner’s goalbound shot appeared to be handled by Gregg Abbott.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt (Skinner 60), North, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Scott, Brazil, Rosenior (Davies 60).
BRADFORD CITY: Tomlinson; Sinnott, Oliver, Abbott, Tinnion, James, Treacy, Duxbury, Jewell, Torpey, McCarthy. Subs (not used): Mitchell, Adcock.
REFEREE: Allan Gunn (Brighton).
ATTENDANCE: 3,029.
