The Bantams were made to settle for a point at the Utilita Energy Stadium – with a 1-1 draw at home to Sky Bet League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers.
Andy Cook’s early goal was matched in the second half, as City were held to a draw at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
The Bantams got off to the perfect start after Andy Cook rose highest to meet Elliot Watt’s corner on the 10-minute mark - to give City a deserved lead.
City continued on the front foot after their goal, as Cook came close to replicating his earlier effort - connecting with Watt’s corner - but Luke McGee was equal to it.
The visitors' best chance of the half came from Nicky Cadden - whose jinking run to the edge of the box allowed him space to curl an effort goalward, just missing Richard O’Donnell’s goal.
City finished the half strongly, and could have gone in at the break two goals to the good.
After Levi Sutton’s bursting run earned his side a free-kick on the edge of the box, Watt’s low, driven effort was deflected into the path of Cook, who was unable to hit the target meaning his earlier goal was the difference at the break.
Forest Green struck first after the interval, as Jake Young picked up the ball under dubious circumstances before gliding through the City defence to level the score.
The West Yorkshire side hit back, coming close twice in quick succession. Watt’s free-kick was flicked goalward, looping over the keeper and striking the crossbar. Theo Robinson then tried to regain City’s lead, but his effort was denied by McGee.
It was the hosts who came closest to winning it late on. Niall Canavan nodded the ball towards the back post but Oscar Threlkeld’s volley flew agonisingly wide, as the referee brought the game to a close, with the score level.
CITY: Richard O’Donnell (booked 56’); Oscar Threlkeld (booked 85’), Paudie O’Connor, Niall Canavan (C), Yann Songo’o; Andy Cook, Alex Gilliead (booked 79’), Matty Foulds, Elliot Watt; Levi Sutton (Callum Cooke 86’), Caolan Lavery (Theo Robinson 28’). SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby, Charles Vernam, Fiacre Kelleher, Gareth Evans, Finn Cousin-Dawson.
GOALS: Andy Cook 10’.
FOREST GREEN: Luke McGee; Kane Wilson, Dominic Bernard, Baily Cargill (booked 45+2’), Ben Stevenson; Ebou Adams (booked 61’), Matty Stevens (Jack Aitchison), Nicky Cadden, Jamille Matt © ; Regan Hendry (Jake Young 45’), Udoka Godwin-Malife (booked 38’). SUBS (not used): Lewis Thomas, Taylor Allen, Jack Evans, Sadou Diallo, Josh March.
GOALS: Jake Young 54’.
REFEREE: Marc Edwards.
ATTENDANCE: 14,873 (152 visitors).