Bradford almost snatched all three points from their clash with Watford as both Tom Kearney and Eoin Jess rattled the woodwork in the second half at Vicarage Road.

Hornets boss Gianluca Vialli had brought on two substitutes immediately after the interval in an effort to give his side fresh impetus following a frustrating opening period for his side.

Tony McNamee came on for Stephen Glass with Paul Okon replacing Micah Hyde, but it was to no avail.

The home side did carve out the first opportunity of the second half, but Marcus Gayle's header was gathered by Bradford keeper Alan Combe.

The visitors, though, continued to impress going forward and David Wetherall sent a header over the bar from Claus Jorgensen's cross three minutes after the restart.

As the action continued to switch from end to end, McNamee tried his luck from 35 yards, but his effort was comfortably saved by Combe.

Bradford then went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after 61 minutes as Kearney was denied by the woodwork.

Vialli opted for a final throw of the dice two minutes later, making his final substitution by bringing on new signing Danny Webber for Lee Cook. Bradford also made a switch as Danny Cadamarteri was replaced by Gareth Grant.

As the Bantams began to dominate, Jess was denied by the frame of the goal after his spectacular effort from 25 yards had looked like finding the back of the net.

Jess went close again with 14 minutes remaining, his 20-yard volley bringing a spectacular save from Alec Chamberlain, who tipped the ball round the post.

The home side had started the first half strongly and had the first effort on goal after just two minutes when Heidar Helguson's left-foot volley from 18 yards was well held by Combe.

But Bradford countered swiftly and created a chance of their own after four minutes, Ashley Ward's close-range volley testing Chamberlain.

With both sides pressing for the opening goal, chances continued to be created at either end, and the home side spurned another after 20 minutes as Neil Cox sent a header wide of the target from a Glass corner.

Watford's Lee Cook then tried his luck from 25 yards, but failed to trouble Combe.

The visitors finished the first half strongly as they won two corners in quick succession. Wetherall saw his header blocked and then Ward sent a header wide of goal.

But, as the game wore on, Watford's challenge faded and it was the Bantams who were left cursing their luck, especially as Ward became the only player to be booked in injury-time.

Teams

Watford: Chamberlain, Blondeau, Galli, Cox, Robinson, Mahon, Hyde (Okon 46), Glass (McNamee 46), Cook (Webber 65), Helguson, Gayle.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Doyley.

Bradford: Combe, Jorgensen, Bower, Wetherall, Jacobs, Jess, McCall, Lawrence, Kearney, Ward, Cadamarteri (Grant 68).

Subs Not Used: Juanjo, Sharpe, Emanuel, Worsnop.

Booked: Ward.

Att: 14,001

Ref: M Fletcher (Warley).