With five successive defeats in a row for Bradford City this encounter was as much about the Bantams as it was about Quakers. Stuart McCall's struggling side put Darlington under immense pressure during the game but Quakers' backline remained resolute and defiant throughout once again keeping another clean sheet.

No club in the Football League has been breached on fewer occasions than Darlington, who have now conceded goals in just four of twelve their league games. Quakers may have been something of a disappointment as an attacking force but good sides will grind out results. Bradford started the day forth from bottom but played much better than their league table suggests.

Darlington were forced into changes before the game and played a 4-3-3 system. Julian Joachim suffered a knew injury in training last Thursday so Johann Smith and Matt Green were deployed out wide by manager Dave Penney leaving Tommy Wright up front. In better news Darlington were able to call upon Neil Austin at right-back following a lengthy ankle injury and his performance was a real high point.

While Darlington struggled to impose themselves as an attacking force the home side created plenty of opportunities. Last season the visitors would undoubtedly have lost this game but the defence, which included the outstanding Steve Foster and Alan White, has the concentration and ability to ensure that Darlington will always stand a chance of a point. Wright had Quakers' best chance when he headed straight at the keeper.

At the other end former Darlington player Barry Conlon was off target in the first half when, directly in front of the 877 away fans, the forward headed horribly wide when he should have at least troubled keeper Andy Oakes. Foster coped well with Conlon and Darlington's other ex-player Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu saw Austin clear an effort as it rolled towards the goal-line after Oakes only partially saved a shot.

Minutes after the second half started Quakers' reverted back to 4-4-2 with a double substitution. Neil Wainwright and Gregg Blundell climbed off the bench and together they combined as the striker saw a shot deflected wide by Darren Williams. But aside from Wright's late header it was as close as Darlington came to scoring. White blocked to deny Conlon after a good free-kick from Paul Heckingbottom as the backline continued to hold off the Bantam's threat.

Bradford pushed on in the closing stages of the game but were denied as Quakers not only closed the game down but goalkeeper Oakes denied Omar Daley. Oakes was in fine form for the game but nearly blotted his copy book during injury time when he conceded a needless corner by fumbling a simple catch but Darlington are made of strong stuff these days and held on for a point.

Bradford: Rhys Evans, Williams, Wetherall, Bower, Heckingbottom, Daley, Johnson, Law , Nix (Rhodes 70), Conlon, Ndumbu-Nsungu. Subs: Clarke, Colbeck, Harban, Phelan, Rhodes.

Darlington: Oakes, Austin, White, Foster, Purdie, Ravenhill, Keltie, Cummins (Wainwright 52), Johann Smith (Miller 86), Green (Blundell 52), Wright. Subs: Brooks-Meade, Barrua, Wainwright, Blundell, Miller.

Bradford bookings: Williams, Conlon.

Darlington bookings: Johann Smith, Keltie, Foster, Wainwright, Austin.

Goals: None.