Leicester's First Division title hopes were given a tonic in south London on a night when a resilient Bradford gained a vital point in their battle to avoid the drop.

Manager Micky Adams' side may have stretched their unbeaten run to seven games, but they spurned the opportunity of closing the gap to leaders Portsmouth to one point as they wasted a number of chances.

However, Valley Parade has not been a happy hunting ground for the Foxes over the years as their last victory in this part of Yorkshire was way back in 1937.

Fortunately for Adams and his squad, they still managed to cut the deficit at the top to three points as Pompey were beaten 2-1 by Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.

This was one of those nights, though, that cried out for a spark of imagination or flair, instead it was all too often uninspiring and dour other than the odd flashpoint as the match threatened to bubble over.

Bootle referee George Cain did much to fan the flames by waving away three penalty appeals - all involving Gerry Taggart - with Claus Jorgensen (twice) and Gus Uhlenbeek on the receiving end, but the Bantams were denied on each occasion.

For watching Scotland boss Berti Vogts, running the rule over Bradford striker Andy Gray who has scored 12 goals this season, he will have left - along with the majority of the 11,351 crowd - hardly enamoured with any player on view.

Local lad Danny Forrest at least attempted to underline his growing reputation in the opening exchanges, initially in the sixth minute as his endeavour and enthusiasm saw him rob Taggart on the edge of the centre circle.

The 18-year-old then scampered into the area, taking on Alan Rogers before firing in a low, angled right-foot shot which flashed past Ian Walker's right-hand post.

After Brian Deane found the sidenetting with a deflected shot four minutes later following a flick into his path by Trevor Benjamin, Forrest then had a second chance to score his third goal of the season in only his seventh appearance.

Jorgensen's back heel gave the teenager - playing with Ashley Ward sidelined due to a bout of tonsilitis - a clear sight of goal, but his 20-yard side-foot shot was straight at a grateful Walker.

Bradford keeper Aidan Davison then helped give his side a priceless point after two successive home defeats by producing stunning point-blank saves to deny Benjamin and Paul Dickov just before the break.

Leicester skipper Matt Elliott came closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot which struck the woodwork as the visitors were again left frustrated.

Following the break, Leicester dominated the early proceedings with Jordan Stewart cracking a curler inches beyond the post, while Davison reserved his best save until late on to tip over a Dickov drive.

Bantams skipper David Wetherall spurned the home side's best chance of the second half as he was left unmarked at the far post as Forrest fired in a low cross, but with the goal at his mercy the ball bobbled off his shin.

It was that kind of night.

Teams

Bradford: Davison, Uhlenbeek, Wetherall, Bower, Atherton, Francis, Jorgensen, Lawrence, Emanuel, Forrest, Gray.

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Myers, Cadamarteri, Standing, Ekoku.

Booked: Atherton.

Leicester: Walker, Impey, Elliott, Taggart, Rogers, Scowcroft, Izzet, Benjamin (Summerbee 57), Stewart, Deane, Dickov.

Subs Not Used: Stevenson, Heath, Jones, Murphy.

Booked: Stewart, Impey.

Att: 11,531

Ref: G Cain (Merseyside).