MATCH RATINGS

WANDERERS (4-3-3)

MARK HOWARD…6.5 Barely tested by Bradford but came to collect a few crosses and kept the communication going across his back four. Will have tougher days.

LEWIS BUXTON…6.5 Coped fairly well with a tricky customer in Marshall when he occupied his side of the pitch. Heart in mouth at the end when he went down for the penalty, though.

DAVID WHEATER…8.5 Wins MOM by a whisker from defensive partner Beevers. Got in so many important challenges and blocks. Playing well this season.

MARK BEEVERS…8 Turning into Wanderers’ Mr Dependable at the back. Made some crowd-pleasing challenges which set the tone for the rear-guard action.

DEAN MOXEY…6 Other than one wobble under a high ball and a bit of wasteful passing there was plenty to admire from Moxey on his return to the left back slot.

JAY SPEARING…8 Back in the side and didn’t miss a beat. Unlucky with an early effort and had wings clipped a little by the early yellow card but vital to the defensive effort.

JOSH VELA…7 Laid low by a virus, which perhaps took the edge off his performance but he too made some crucial challenges. Need to see more going forward, though.

LIAM TROTTER…5 Kept things tidy enough in possession but looked off the pace and didn’t get involved enough further forward. Had been nursing an injury pre-match.

JAMES HENRY…6.5 Always available, testing and probing outside the penalty box but it hasn’t quite happened for the Wolves midfielder yet in a Bolton shirt. Hopeful, though.

JAMIE PROCTOR…6 Started slowly against his former club and looked isolated at times. But he is a warrior and never lets the side down in the effort stakes.

SAMMY AMEOBI…5 Desperate for a first Bolton goal, which might just unlock his confidence. A few nice touches but not enough conviction going forward.

Subs: Thorpe 68 (for Trotter) – Looked tidy on the ball 6

Clough 70 (for Ameobi) – Went close with a great effort 6

C Taylor 80 (for Henry) – Couldn’t get into the game N/A

Not used: Alnwick, Derik, A Taylor, Wilson.

Bradford City (4-4-2): Doyle; Darby, Knight-Percival, Vincelot, Meredith; Marshall, Cullen, Dieng, Law; Clarke, McNulty.

Subs: Hiwula 62 (for McNulty) Not used: Sattelmaier, Vuckic, McArdle, Devine, Kilgallon.

Bradford’s star man: Josh Cullen – Pulled the strings in midfield but got Phil Parkinson’s back up with his perceived “theatrics” to get Josh Vela booked.

MATCH STATS

Possession: Wanderers – 49 Bradford - 51

Shots on target: Wanderers – 1 Bradford - 4

Shots off target: Wanderers – 5 Bradford - 3

Corners: Wanderers – 9 Bradford - 3

Offsides: Wanderers – 2 Bradford - 3

Goals: None

Card count: Yellows: Wanderers – Spearing 23 (foul on Cullen), Vela 37 (foul on Cullen), Proctor 60 (foul on Dieng), Henry 72 (foul on Meredith) Bradford – Marshall 83 (simulation) Attendance: 17,486 (4,388)

Referee – Mark Heywood (Cheshire) 6 Stayed strong at the end when Marshall went down looking for a penalty and was a step up on what Wanderers have had in recent weeks.

Atmosphere – 7

Entertainment – 4