“Two points dropped”: Bradford lose top spot after 18 shots and no goal at Burton
Thursday 22 October 2026 · By Craig Ashby
Bradford City are no longer top of League One. Michael Duff’s side were held to a goalless draw at Burton Albion on Tuesday night and slipped to third, a point behind leaders Stockport County and second-placed Huddersfield Town.
It was not for want of chances. Duff said his side had 18 shots, 17 of them inside the box. The best of them fell to captain Antoni Sarcevic with 20 minutes left, but his venomous drive from the edge of the area was somehow turned over the bar by Burton goalkeeper Corey Addai, according to BBC Sport. Substitute Adam Phillips also missed a late chance.
Burton had their moments too. Former Bradford defender Curtis Tilt was denied by Jon McCracken early on, and the Bantams keeper produced an acrobatic save from Charlie Webster’s dipping shot before keeping out substitute Matty Dennis late on.
BBC Sport noted that it was a third draw in four league games, and a second in three under Duff.
“Overall emotion straight after the game is that it is two points dropped,” Duff told PA. “We had enough chances to win the game. But in the sport, once the emotion comes out of it you have added a clean sheet and added a point on the road. You have got to be respectful. We have no given right to win.”
He was frank about the problem. “We have had 18 shots, 17 inside the box, but their keeper has only had to make two saves and there have been some gilt-edged chances in there,” he said. “We look a threat from set plays, and the attacking output is much higher than it was, but it’s no good looking good and creating chances. You have to score one and that is the bit that we can’t do.”
The numbers explain his frustration. Bradford have conceded only five league goals in 11 games, the fewest in the division. But they have scored only 10, and only AFC Wimbledon, Wigan Athletic and Bromley have scored fewer.
There was better news on the injury front before the trip to Burton. Duff told the Yorkshire Post that wing-back Josh Neufville, out with a hamstring injury since 19 September, was back on the grass and “getting closer and closer”.
The next week is a big one. Bradford visit Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 BST), and Oxford have lost only one league game all season. Peterborough United then come to Valley Parade in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 27 October, before Huddersfield visit on Saturday 31 October in a 12:30 GMT kick-off.
In the FA Cup first round, Bradford will host Marine of the National League North on the weekend of 7 November.
Third place is still a promotion play-off position, and Bradford remain one point off the top. But Duff knows that if his side are to go back to first, the chances have to start going in.
Valley Parade sits on a hillside above Manningham, a short walk from Bradford city centre and about fifteen minutes on foot from Forster Square station. The Bantams have played here since 1903. Capacity is around 24,840, all seated. Sponsorship names change, but supporters still call it Valley Parade. Postcode for maps is BD8 7DY.
The ground is lopsided, which is useful to know before you arrive. The Kop at the north end and the JCT600 Main Stand on the west side are the big two-tier blocks, joined by a family corner. Opposite them, Midland Road is a single-tier stand that overhangs the street. Behind the south goal is the compact TL Dallas Stand, a two-tier “double-decker” that looks small next to the Kop. Goals sit in front of the Kop and TL Dallas, not the side stands.
Away supporters are usually in blocks F and G of the Midland Road Stand, at the south end of that side, towards the scoreboard and TL Dallas. The standard allocation is about 1,300. Views are generally clean: no roof posts in that stand, and a glass windshield at the end. For bigger followings the club opens TL Dallas as well, adding up to around 1,650–1,840 seats. If you are in that stand, the upper tier is the better view; the lower tier is closer but pillars can sit in the sightline. Check your ticket: the default away area is Midland Road, not automatically behind the goal.
Turnstiles for visiting fans are on the Midland Road / Holywell Ash Lane side. Midland Road is closed to through traffic on matchdays between Holywell Ash Lane and Thorncliffe Road, so do not rely on driving the last stretch. Approach TL Dallas from South Parade and walk down the hill if you need step-free access; coming up from Midland Road is steep. Gates typically open 90 minutes before kick-off. Digital and paper tickets are both used — have yours ready.
Street parking is the main option around Queens Road, Midland Road and nearby residential streets. It fills early and restrictions apply. Blue-badge bays exist on Cliffe Terrace, Thorncliffe Road, Valley Parade and Midland Road, first come first served; arrive well before kick-off. Coaches need a pre-arranged drop-off. Trains to Forster Square or Interchange, then a walk or a short bus, are often simpler than circling for a space.
Facilities in the away sections are standard EFL: toilets, kiosks, stewards who are generally well regarded by visiting fans. Cashless payment is common. Bradford support is loudest on the Kop; the Main Stand is quieter. For many league games TL Dallas stays shut, so the ground can feel three-sided. When it is open, the extra noise from behind the south goal changes the feel.
Respect the 1985 fire memorial on the main stand. Fifty-six people died that afternoon; it is part of why the rebuilt ground looks the way it does. Pubs near the away approach include options on Manningham Lane and towards the centre; the City Gent is a well-known home haunt, so pick your pint accordingly. Claret and amber are the club colours. If you only remember three things: Midland Road blocks F and G first, TL Dallas when demand is high, and the south goal is the small stand — not the Kop.