The Bantams were held to a draw in their second Sky Bet League Two outing of the season, following an closely-contested 1-1 clash at Grimsby Town.
A breathless second half saw skipper James Vaughan bag his first goal for the club, before former City striker James Hanson snatched a share of the spoils for the Blundell Park outfit.
The first period was an uneventful affair, with both sides struggling to find a way past one another.
The visitors came back out from the interval applying more pressure and created the game’s first meaningful opportunity in the 52nd minute.
Adam Henley and Eoin Doyle combined neatly on the edge of the area, though the latter’s cross was missed by an unmarked Jermaine Anderson at the far post.
However, it did not take the Bantams much longer to break the deadlock as they took the lead just a minute later.
Jordan Gibson’s deep ball into the area was met by Vaughan, who headed home in front of the rapturous 1,800-plus travelling supporters.
Grimsby responded with intent and appeared to have equalised, five minutes later, only for Moses Ogbu’s header to be ruled out for offside.
But the hosts were not to be kept out for much longer and drew level - through Hanson - in the 66th minute.
A superb stop from Richard O’Donnell sent a Mariners effort behind for a corner, from which the ex-Bantam rose highest to find a way past the City goalkeeper.
Despite both sides having chances to snatch a winner throughout a frenetic final 20 minutes, the score remained to see City take two points from their opening two matches of the season.
CITY: Richard O’Donnell; Kelvin Mellor, Anthony O’Connor, Ben Richards-Everton, Adam Henley; Jordan Gibson, Matt Palmer, Jermaine Anderson (booked 68’) (Danny Devine 70’); Eoin Doyle (Sean Scannell 62’); James Vaughan (c), Clayton Donaldson. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby (GK), Tyler French, Paudie O’Connor, Jackson Longridge, Connor Wood.
GOALS: Vaughan (53’).
GRIMSBY: James McKeown (c); Elliott Hewitt, Ludvig Öhman (booked 3’) (Mattie Pollock 78’), Harry Davies, Luke Hendrie; Matt Green, Jakob Hessenthaler, Elliott Whitehouse, Harry Clifton; James Hanson, Akeem Rose (Moses Ogbu 22’). SUBS (not used): Sam Russell (GK), Sebastian Ring, Max Wright, Charles Vernam, Jordan Cook.
GOALS: Hanson (66’).
ATTENDANCE: 6,882 (1,824 visitors).
REFEREE: Ben Toner (Lancs).