Report

Consett earned a hard-earned point on their travels when they drew 0-0 at promotion hopefuls Bradford (Park Avenue).

Jason Miller’s side were still without five first-team players when they made their second visit of the season to the Horsfall Community Stadium.

But unlike their 2-0 FA Trophy defeat in September, the Steelmen were able to shut out their high-flying hosts, who have lost only once at home this season and remain in a play-off position.

Consett gave a debut to Jake Dobinson at left-back, and the new signing performed well, as well as demonstrating his impressive long throw ability.

But man of the match honours were shared by goalkeeper Harry Moss, who made several vital saves, and acting skipper Michael Ledger, who led the back four superbly.

There was also the welcome sight of David Allasan returning to the pitch as a substitute, seven months after he suffered a season-ending injury against Dunston.

Bradford No 10 Joe Ackroyd had the first chance of the game on 10 minutes, but his 20-yarder dipped over the bar. Seven minutes later there was a let-off for Consett as centre-back Jameel Ible was allowed a free header from a corner, but put it straight at Moss.

The home side were creating all the chances, and in the 27th minute when left-back Charlie Winfield advanced down the flank, cut inside and unleashed a low shot which was heading for the bottom corner until Moss turned it around the post.

A minute later the keeper was called into action again, getting down well to claim a low, hard cross skidding across goal.

Consett’s first and best chance of the game came on 36 minutes when Lewis Leech threaded a pass through to put Matty Todd in on goal, but keeper Jack Hall stood up well to save.

The hosts had another chance right on half-time, but the Consett defence did well to block, and the half ended goalless

Half-time: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0 Consett 0

The second half saw both teams create chances in the first few minutes, with Ben Ramsey testing Hall and Moss saving from ? as Bradford broke quickly.

On 53 minutes Connor Shanks tried his luck from 25 yards, but was well off target, and five minutes later Calvin Smith sent a looping header goalwards from Dobinson’s long throw, but Hall dealt with it.

Just before the hour Moss made two saves in a minute from ? and ? as Bradford turned up the heat, and five minutes later Louie Chorlton burst through and looked certain to score until a superb intervention by Michael Ledger.

Consett were defending well, without really troubling their hosts at the other end, and Moss made a good save with his feet from Chorlton in the 74th minute, before Winfield blazed one wide from 25 yards.

In the 82nd minute Consett made a substitution to gladden the hearts of their fans when Allasan came on for Ramsey, for his first game since his serious injury against Dunston in April.

As the game approached its final few minutes things took a bizarre turn as the linesman on the far side put down his flag, signalled to the referee that he couldn’t continue due to feeling unwell, and headed for the dressing room.

After a 10-minute delay, lots of confusion and an appeal over the PA system, a replacement official was found from the crowd, and the game petered out into a stalemate which suited Consett more than Bradford.

In fairness, it was a night when neither side possessed the cutting edge to deserve all three points, and a draw was a fair result.