Sheffield United battle back in second half to rescue point against Bradford City

Nigel Adkins's Sheffield United side came back from 2-0 down to secure a draw against Bradford City in the Yorkshire derby.

A quiet opening half of football came to life when James Meredith opened the scoring for the Bantams after 36 minutes.

Meredith chipped over Blades keeper Mark Howard after Devante Cole knocked down Paul Anderson's cross, for his first goal in three years.

Bradford began the second period as they ended the first, their pressure paying off immediately as Cole's pace saw him get in behind United's defence.

On-loan Birmingham defender David Edgar, in his attempts to clear the danger, kicked the ball off the on-rushing Cole leaving Howard no chance as City went 2-0 up.

United got back into the tie after 65 minutes as captain Chris Basham's looping header from Craig Alcock's throw-in hit Meredith before sailing over Jones.

Billy Sharp equalised minutes later, latching onto a long ball from Jose Baxter, seeing his first shot saved by Jones but making no mistake when the ball rebounded back to him.

Bradford were pinned back for most of the second period but almost went ahead through Anderson, whose header from close range was straight at Howard.

The Bantams came closest to winning the tie in the end, Baxter clearing James Hanson's header from Knott's corner off the line.

The derby draw means that the Blades move up to 7th position in League One while Bradford occupy 12th place.