Match report - Former stopper denies Miners three points

Town were held to a point by a battling Eccleshill side whose former Town goalkeeper Dominic Smith made a string of saves to prevent us finding the net for the first time this season.

On reflection Garforth enjoyed enough chances to leave Bradford with all three points, but can take heart in a solid defensive display to record a second clean sheet on the bounce for the first time in just over a year.

In a match often played at a frenetic pace, the first chance fell to Eccleshill's Andy Cooper on 8 mins who fired over the bar from just outside the box. Town had made a nervous start, but a good move down the right wing two minutes later ended in our first sight of goal when debutee Mark Ferguson's low effort was claimed by Smith. Back down the other end a Luke Harrop free kick in a dangerous position was deflected inches over the bar. Niah Payne was doing well down the right wing and his excellent delivery across the six-yard on 23 mins was screaming to be nodded home, but nobody in a green jersey obliged. Two minutes later he supplied brother Sanchez, who tested Smith with a powerful effort from just outside the area. Devonte Morton was unlucky shortly after when his 20 yard effort came off the top of the crossbar. Only seconds later though the ball was down the other end of the park where Toby Wells did well to keep out of the bottom corner a Ben Grech-Brooksbank strike.

In a quiet start to the second period a dangerous ball in from Matty Stor on 54 mins was cleared in the six-yard box by the Town defence. A good chance followed for teammate Harrop on the counter who stung the palms of Wells. Town turned the screw on the hosts around the 70 minute mark, and will wonder how they didn't open the scoring. A good delivery from Albert Ibrahimi somehow found its way into Smith's hands after pinball deep in the penalty box, before Smith turned wide a Morton header at point-blank range, Ibrahimi again the provider. There was almost a goal from promising debutee Sean Keys who's glancing header from a Niah cross went just beyond the far post. Smith produced another great save on 75 mins to keep out a Ferguson drive, and the Eagles foothold on the game survived intact.

Two minutes later, a Harrop free-kick deep into the box was inches away from a flying Ryan Basi at the back post, and a minute from time Wells made a save to deny Harrop's header from substitute Levi Maturine's cross. There was one more half-chance for Town when sub Joe Colley got down the right wing and delivered across the goalmouth, but like his colleague Payne earlier, with nobody to do the honours.

It had been a game that deserved a goal, but neither team could find the finish and the points were shared. The Town players left the field disappointed, but have a chance to unleash any frustrations when we make a second visit to Bridlington for Saturday's big FA Cup clash (kick-off 3pm).