Bradford 0-0 Grimsby

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Bradford and Grimsby battled out a goalless draw at Valley Parade to leave the Bantams still searching for their first win of the new campaign.

The hosts appeared more likely to snatch victory but some stout defending and the heroics of Grimsby goalkeeper Danny Coyne kept them at bay.

Grimsby's new signing Robert Taylor started up front after signing a four-month contract with the club.

But his debut was to prove short-lived as he was carried off after 19 minutes with an injury.

Grimsby began to come more into the game and as the first half progressed and they started to look the more dangerous team.

After Steve Kabba had already seen a 25-yarder inch wide, Stuart Campbell was unlucky with a similar effort as his powerful volley flew over the bar.

Congested midfield

And six minutes later the same player was threatening again with a shot from the edge of the box that forced Aidan Davidson to save.

Grimsby lost their attacking impetus when Taylor was forced off and Bradford began to enjoy more of the ball.

After a long spell of pressure they were unlucky not to make the breakthrough when Gray burst forward, but his curling shot was matched by a fine save from Coyne.

After the up-tempo first-half, the pace slowed dramatically after the restart as the game degenerated into a scrappy midfield tussle.

The Mariners went closest to breaking the deadlock when Darren Barnard was bundled over on the edge of the box and he brushed himself off to curl the resulting free-kick at Davison.

For their part, Bradford similarly struggled to string passes together and even the introduction of new loan signing Michael Proctor failed to inject the spark they needed.

Three minutes from time Michael Standing went close with a 20-yard effort but in truth, neither side had done enough to take victory.

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Bradford: Davison, Uhlenbeek, Myers, Atherton, Molenaar, Gray, Standing, Evans, Kearney, Cadamarteri, Ward. Subs: Bower, Tod, Proctor, Jorgensen, Forrest.

Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Groves, Chettle, Cooke, Barnard, Campbell, Coldicott, Taylor, Kabba. Subs: Ford, Hughes, Ward, Rowan, Robinson.

Referee: P Rejer (Worcestershire)