ROVERS were fortunate to escape with a point against an impressive Bradford City side at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

We knew we would be in for a tough test against a Bantams team chasing promotion this season, but the Pirates started well and we had our opponents on the back foot.

The loss of the injured Bodin was a blow, but it did not affect the players as they piled on the pressure. We got our reward with a brilliant curling shot by Lines that soared into the corner of the net to give us the lead in the 15th minute.

That did not deter Bradford who started to impose themselves on the game and show their class. They are an excellent footballing side and were dominating spells of possession, with Law pulling the strings in midfield.

It was no surprise when they gained an equaliser 11 minutes later following a well worked move that was finished off by Law.

The rest of the half ebbed and flowed with Rovers threatening on occasions, and Bradford also looking dangerous.

The Bantams took hold of the game in the second half and we struggled to match their ability to keep hold of the ball for long spells.

Harrison and James cut isolated figures up front as we failed to provide the service needed to regain a foothold.

The visitors had some decent chances to secure a win but Lumley in the Rovers goal pulled off several fine saves.

Despite Bradford’s undoubted quality we competed well and showed we can live with one of the best sides in the division.

It was an entertaining spectacle and a point gained ahead of another tough encounter as top of the table Sheffield United came to the Mem on Tuesday night.

We gained another valuable point thanks to a resilient performance against a quality side. The Blades showed their class but were denied by Rovers’ diligence and organisation as the game ended goalless.

The result left us in 10th position, five points off the play-offs.

The Pirates will be looking for three points at Port Vale on Saturday.