Premiership: Bradford and Charlton all square

Bradford City 0, Charlton 0 (half-time)

A spectacular save from Gary Walsh denied European hopefuls Charlton the early lead against rock-bottom Bradford at Valley Parade.

From the first corner of the game in the 18th minute, John Robinson’s inswinging delivery was met by a powerful header from Richard Rufus on the edge of the six-yard box.

But Walsh showed lightning reactions to somehow push the ball behind for a second corner, leaving Rufus shaking his head in disbelief.

Robinson was one of four changes made to the team beaten 2-1 on Tuesday at Manchester United, with Mark Kinsella, Paul Konchesky and Mathias Svensson also in the starting line-up.

Claus Jensen and Shaun Bartlett were dropped to the bench, while Graham Stuart and Chris Powell did not figure in the 16 on duty aiming to push Charlton back to within a point of a potential UEFA Cup place.

City, in contrast, were unchanged for the first time this season.

It meant boss Jim Jefferies again going for broke, as he did in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Tuesday, by playing Benito Carbone, Ashley Ward and Robbie Blake up front.

Blake had Bradford’s only chance of a quiet opening half with an angled drive which lacked power, ultimately drifting just wide of Sasa Ilic’s left-hand post.