City’s under-19s fought back to secure a point, with a 1-1 draw against Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in their penultimate match of the season.
A goal late in the first half from Max Adamson was cancelled out by a 71st-minute header from City substitute Harry Ibbitson at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
The young Bantams began the game on the front foot with a quick tempo and attacking outlook.
Twelve minutes in, a flick-on from Dylan Youmbi was met on the right wing by an open Isaac Robinson. With space, he cut inside and sent a shot goalwards, however his low driven effort flew narrowly wide.
Just before the half-hour mark, a well defended corner resulted in a counter-attack for City.
Fronted by Robinson, he managed to play a through ball into the box for Youmbi. The Bantams’ No.9 connected with the pass but his resulting attempt was smothered by goalkeeper Jake Oram.
Only a minute before half-time, Doncaster took the lead against the run of play. A corner delivered to the front post by Will Green was all Max Adamson needed to score with a glancing header.
With more pressure building on Doncaster’s defence as the second half opened, Ryan Farrell’s side had a valuable opportunity to draw level.
A well-worked cross from the left played by Cole Roberts dropped to an open Jay Tinsdale. His first-time hit was agonisingly close yet crept scarcely past the post.
With little under 20 minutes to do, the Bantams managed to find the equaliser their pressure warranted, from a corner on the left.
A nicely-placed ball into the centre of the area from Robinson perfectly met the head of striker Harry Ibbitson, who made a positive impact from the substitute’s bench as he carefully guided his effort to evade the gloves of Oram.
City looked for a late winner, though the points were shared between the two Yorkshire outfits. The result leaves the Bantams second in the EFL Youth Alliance North East Division, only behind the champions, Harrogate Town.
CITY: Zac Hadi, Casey Breaks, Ian Kamga (Bilal Hussain 66’), Noah Wadsworth, Sam Bentley (c), Finlay Gledhill (Franklin Dennison 45’), Isaac Robinson, Dylan Youmbi (Harry Ibbiton 45’), Jay Tinsdale, Cole Roberts, Gabriel Wadsworth (Nathan Tinsdale 89’). Subs (not used): James Edgley.
GOALS: Ibbitson (71’).
DONCASTER: Jake Oram, Alex Fletcher, Freddie Allan, Josh Lindley, Jacob Eacon, Will Flint (c), Harry Wood (Kasper Williams 73’), Farris Kahn, Max Adamson, Will Green, Tom Parkinson (Sam Brown 60’). Subs (not used): Jacob Bryant, Jamie Tomlinson, Ken Imaregbe.
GOALS: Adamson (45’).