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Club News

PARKIN POSITIVE ABOUT WALSALL POINT

22 February 2015

Club News

PARKIN POSITIVE ABOUT WALSALL POINT

22 February 2015

Bantams assistant Steve Parkin feels the latest set of results from this weekend's Sky Bet League 1 fixtures show that every point is a positive following City's 1-1 home draw with Walsall.

Billy Clarke's seventh goal of the season gave the Bantams the lead just after the interval but Walsall's Jordy Hiwula ensured a share of the spoils for the visitors with an equaliser fifteen minutes from the end.

Parkin admits City were naturally frustrated to let a lead slip in the latter stages of the match but one glance at the scores around the grounds come full time put the draw in a different light.

Thanks to a defeat by Doncaster Rovers at Port Vale, Phil Parkinson's side moved back into the Play-Off places because of the point gained from this Saturday's Walsall fixture.

On the same day as City's draw with the Saddlers at the Coral Windows Stadium, promotion contenders Bristol City and Swindon Town suffered shock defeats.

Oldham Athletic, Chesterfield and Sheffield United - all of whom have their eyes on being at the sharp end of the division come the end of the season - also dropped points as well.

Parkin said: "We were all pretty disappointed having conceded an equaliser fairly late in the game, especially when they have not threatened our goal too much, but when you get in the dressing room, see the other results, it reminds you once again what a tough division this is.

"We beat Leyton Orient 2-0 on Wednesday and then they go and beat Oldham Athletic 3-0 this (Saturday) afternoon. It just puts into context what a difficult week we've had, culminating in playing a Walsall side who have picked up some very impressive results on the road recently.

"We are obviously disappointed not to see the game through but four points from the week is very pleasing for us, especially considering the circumstances around it with the injuries we've had and just coming off the back of the Sunderland game.

"The results have shown this weekend that if you are not at your best on any given day, any other team in this division can beat you. Everyone is fighting for something at this stage and it is no surprise to me when you see results like we've had today."

With Andrew Davies joining James Hanson and Filipe Morais on the sidelines for the Walsall game, it gave City the opportunity to hand Scottish defender Gary MacKenzie his home debut following his loan move from Blackpool at the beginning of the month.

After an extended period out due to an Achilles problem, the start for MacKenzie against Walsall was actually his first in an competitive fixture for 10 months.

Parkin added: "I thought Gary was excellent.

"He's come straight into the side against a difficult team but he was assured and played very well.

"We were delighted with him on his home debut, and we know he can only get better with the more match practice he gets.

"He knows the position well and we know he has played as part of a successful MK Dons team in the past."

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