Bradford City 0-0 Carlisle United: Blues third after absorbing draw

Jordan Gibson came millimetres away from a dramatic winner with the last kick of the game when the sub's shot hit the inside of the post.

Bradford had also earlier struck the woodwork through Andy Cook in a game where United had the better of the first half before going on the defensive after the break.

Their second consecutive goalless draw put them third on goal difference with nine games to go.

It was a night when the Cumbrians had to cope without influential defender Paul Huntington, out with an abdominal injury - but Ben Barclay stepped in admirably.

A 16th clean sheet of the season extended an unbeaten run to six games as United now prepare for their second of a three-game run of away fixtures at Gillingham this weekend.

A Jack Armer cross flies agonisingly out of Kristian Dennis's reach (Image: Richard Parkes)

Barclay came in for only his fifth league start of the season with Huntington sidelined with an injury Paul Simpson says is likely to keep him out for seven to ten days.

There were also changes in attack, where Ryan Edmondson and Kristian Dennis were recalled at the expense of Joe Garner and Omari Patrick.

Bradford's two changes saw Harry Chapman and Scott Banks come into their side - but it was Carlisle who had the better of things to start with against Mark Hughes' side.

With 1,208 travelling fans roaring United on, Joel Senior had an effort blocked at the edge of the box before Chapman skied one from a good position on the break for Bradford.

Jack Armer then saw a Carlisle cross fly agonisingly beyond the sliding Dennis as Carlisle began pinning Bradford in their half through some highly industrious midfield play and attacking movement.

Jon Mellish had a shot blocked in the box after Armer won a header before Callum Guy and Edmondson further tested the home rearguard.

Bradford will have been happiest to reach half-time goalless but they upped things after the break – with in-form Cook finally threatening to make his mark against his former club.

On 49 minutes he cut in and was denied by a last-ditch Morgan Feeney block, before another attempt brought a host of blue shirts into a desperate block.

Morgan Feeney battles with Andy Cook (Image: Richard Parkes)

Senior then did well to deny Chapman before Cook saw a deflected attempt strike Feeney and dip against the angle of post and bar.

Simpson sent on Garner and Patrick, Hughes responding with a triple change, as Carisle now struggled to make serious attacking headway.

In defence, though, they were resolute, Feeney leading things from the heart of the back three.

Owen Moxon fizzed a free-kick over the Bradford bar after Guy was upended, before United saw off an Alex Gilliead run.

Cook was denied late on by Tomas Holy and sub Vadaine Oliver headed a cross wide before, with the final kick, Gibson – booed on by fans of his former club – sent a left-footed drive past keeper Harry Lewis, against the inside of the post and clear as Bradford, who are now fifth, survived at the death.

Bradford: Lewis, Halliday, Ridehalgh (Crichlow 68), Platt, Stubbs, Smallwood, Clayton (East 68), Gilliead (Pereira 86), Chapman (Oliver 68), Banks, Cook. Not used: Doyle, Bola, C Kelly.

Booked: Oliver.

United: Holy, Barclay, Feeney, Mellish, Senior (Robinson 90), Armer, Guy, Moxon, McCalmont (Gibson 84), Edmondson (Garner 63), Dennis (Patrick 63). Not used: M Kelly, Whelan, Gordon.

Booked: Moxon, Barclay, Armer.

Ref: Will Finnie.

Crowd: 17,653 (1,208 United fans)