Leeds held by Bradford

Collymore celebrates his strike on his Bradford debut

Bradford 1-1 Leeds

Bradford boss Chris Hutchings admitted before the match that signing Stan Collymore was a gamble, but it may prove to pay huge dividends if the striker reproduces the form he displayed on his debut.

The controversial striker produced a scintillating display and a spectacular finish to help his new club earn a point against Leeds at Valley Parade.

Collymore's history of scoring on his club debuts repeated itself after just twenty minutes, and it was a strike that underlined his undoubted ability.

Benito Carbone collected the ball on the right flank and delivered a cross into the Leeds penalty area which Collymore met with a glorious overhead kick from 15 yards out.

Stan's done what he had to do - he's stuck the ball in the back of the net

  Chris Hutchings

Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson, whose recent form has been tremendous, was left with no chance as the ball flew into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Heroic

Some heroic goalkeeping from Matt Clarke and two superb goal-line clearances by Ian Nolan helped Bradford maintain their lead but Mark Viduka broke Bantams hearts with a fine headed goal just ten minutes from the end to draw Leeds level.

Leeds had started the match brightly and were well in charge for the first quarter of an hour with Bowyer and Dacourt running the midfield.

In the 12th minute Nolan made his first saving block from Danny Hay's header, and repeated the feat in the 40th minute, this time denying Dominic Matteo.

But in between Bradford kept posession well and managed to keep Leeds at bay, creating chances of their own with Carbone clearly enjoying linking up with Collymore.

But the last five minutes of the half saw Leeds come back strongly and Bradford defended well to stay in the lead at half-time.

Pressure

Leeds continued to apply the pessure in the second half and Matt Clarke was forced to make a series of excellent saves.

Dacourt's free-kick was parried well, and a minute later Clarke made a magnificent reflex save to prevent David Wetherall turning the ball into his own net from a low cross.

I'm happy with a point, but we could have done better

  David O'Leary

Then Jonathan Woodgate forced another outstanding save as his header was turned round the post by Clarke.

But the pressure finally told with 80 minutes gone, as Viduka headed powerfully into the corner of the net from Matteo's precise cross into the box.

Bradford manager Chris Hutchings knew before the match that defeat against Leeds could spell the end of his reign, but after a battling performance by Bradford and some real class from Collymore, his stay has been extended for now.

"It was a great team display," Hutchings enthused after the game.

"We had to dig deep in the second half so, overall, I am very happy with a point. I would like to think this is a turning point."

Leeds manager David O'Leary beleived his side deserved to win considering the number of chances United created.

"We went a goal down and it was a disappointing one to concede from my point of view," O'Leary said.

"We got our just rewards. I wanted to win the match, although with the tough match in midweek (against Barcelona) and the injuries, we did okay, but I know we can do a lot better."