Bradford celebrate the point of existence

There have been times in recent months when neither of these teams were envisaging starting this season in the First Division.

Wolverhampton Wanderers led the way for long periods last season before being overtaken by Manchester City and then, somewhat improbably, by their Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion. A glance towards yesterday's opponents would have reminded them that disappointment in football is very much relative.

As recently as Saturday, Bradford City were awaiting permission from the Football League to allow them to participate in the First Division. That represents a staggering downturn in fortunes for a team who were in the Premiership as recently as May 2001.

Their former chairman Geoffrey Richmond's self-confessed "six weeks of madness" the previous summer, the climax of which was the £43,000-a-week deal agreed with the Italian Benito Carbone, led them into debts somewhere in the region of £30m. Bradford survived, for now at least, and the Valley Parade faithful afforded their new chairman Gordon Gibb an appreciative reception. As the owner of a theme park, Gibb at least has the advantage of a working knowledge of roller-coaster rides.

The Wolves manager Dave Jones clearly concluded that his side's failure to finish what they started last time around stemmed from a lack of experience. To that end, he has secured Denis Irwin and Paul Ince, combined age 70, who have won every conceivable domestic honour between them. Ince was not considered for this match, having only joined last week, but Irwin carried out his duties at right-back with typical unfussiness.

As goalless draws go, this one had much to recommend it. Perhaps liberated from the uncertainties of the close season, it was Bradford who started better. The new signings Andy Gray, once of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, and Gus Uhlenbeek combined well down Bradford's right to provide a stream of crosses, one of which Ashley Ward headed back across goal with the goalkeeper Michael Oakes beaten.

It was 20 minutes before Wolves created their first clear-cut opportunity. Nathan Blake held the ball up well and played in the on-rushing Alex Rae, forcing David Wetherall into a sliding block tackle.

Shaun Newton began to find space in front of Bradford's defence and it was he who created the best chance of the first half, crossing for Colin Cameron. His 12-yard volley was parried by Gary Walsh and Rae could only shin the rebound wide.

Wolves continued to push the home side back after the break, Kenny Miller firing wide from inside the area, but Bradford came close to taking the lead themselves when Ward, totally unmarked, met a right-wing corner and sent a volley inches over the crossbar. At the other end Ivar Ingimarsson headed just over and Miller had an acrobatic attempt tipped around the post by Walsh.

The game seemed to be petering out, until, with three minutes remaining, George Ndah sprinted onto Blake's flick, only for Walsh to produce his best save of the match.

This was a point gained for Bradford, whose manager Nicky Law deserves credit for organising his players into a cohesive unit during a traumatic summer. For Wolves, better days surely lie ahead and a point and a clean sheet away from home are rarely to be sniffed at.

Bradford City (4-4-2): Walsh; Emanuel, Wetherall, Myers, Uhlenbeek; Lawrence, Kearney, Evans, Gray; Cadamarteri, Ward. Substitutes not used: Davison (gk), Atherton, Bower, Tod, Standing.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-3-1-2): Oakes; Naylor, Lescott, Butler, Irwin; Cameron, Ingimarsson, Rae; Newton; Miller (Ndah 75), Blake. Substitutes not used: Murray (gk), Pollet, Cooper, Camara.

Refeee: C Webster (Gateshead).

Bookings: Bradford: Wetherall, Kearney, Uhlenbeek. Wolves Blake, Lescott, Irwin, Ndah.

Man of the match: Walsh.

Attendance: 13,223.