Mark Hughes insisted it would have been a "travesty" had his Bradford City side lost at the death to Carlisle United.

A last-gasp Jordan Gibson shot hit the inside of the post in the 97th minute at Valley Parade.

Bradford survived and a goalless draw saw both sides move up a place in League Two.

Hughes - whose own team had earlier hit the woodwork through Andy Cook - said of the Gibson near-miss: "That would have been an absolute travesty if it had gone in but thankfully it didn’t.

“We can look back on Cooky’s chance that hit the bar and other moments in the game when that final ball just needed to be made a little bit more accurately.”

Hughes said he was “proud” despite Bradford’s failure to turn second half dominance into victory against Paul Simpson's side.

READ MORE: Simpson blasts 'disgusting' abuse at Bradford game

The Bantams had the best of the second 45 minutes but had to settle for a fourth consecutive draw, as they failed to make up any ground on Paul Simpson’s men in the promotion race.

The home boss felt his side swamped Carlisle after the break to no avail.

"In the first half, it was very even,” he said. “They had a little bit of play towards the end of the half, but there were no consequences for us in terms of open chances.

"In the second half, I thought we totally dominated the game and they found it very difficult to cope with us.

“We tried everything, we changed shape and personnel and had wing-backs and had wingers and number tens and all sorts going on.

"We tried our best to get the maximum out of the game. It wasn't to be.

“We have gone up and dominated a good team in the second half and while we have not been able to get the three points we wanted, I am sure they are delighted with their last two games.

"For ourselves, we probably could have got more. But it is a huge ask Saturday-Tuesday against good opposition, and when you have to go again, you have got to produce and the lads did that and I was really proud of their efforts.”

The Yorkshire club, who are now fifth, remain five points adrift of the third-placed Cumbrians and Hughes added: "It was a key game and we wanted to get maximum points, [which] would have damaged them and [brought them] closer to ourselves.

“We have not been able to do that, but it's another point on the board.”

Hughes, meanwhile, felt there was a case for Carlisle’s Ben Barclay to be sent off for his foul on Harry Chapman in the second half.

The Blues defender brought down the Bradford man as he counter-attacked, but ref Will Finnie only issued a booking.

"The Chappy challenge, he got taken out,” added Hughes.

“I felt that possibly warranted a red card. I don't chase after those things, but he felt he was going to be straight through on goal.

“The ref thought differently and thought the two [other Carlisle] lads would have got back. I dispute that, but I would do wouldn't I?”