BRADFORD City manager Gary Bowyer hailed his side's battling qualities in their "hard-fought, competitive" goalless draw at Colchester United.

The U's created the better chances but Chris Taylor rattled the bar as the Bantams nearly grabbed their first away win since October.

John McGreal's men are unbeaten in 14 League Two matches while promotion rivals Bradford have only lost once in 11.

“It was a hard-fought, competitive game between two very good teams who were solid, well-organised and looked to break each other down," said Bowyer.

“It was a tough, tactical battle but we’ve come here and had a go.

"We’ve hit the bar with a wonderful effort from Chris Taylor and Harry Pritchard should have shot or put Dylan (Connolly) in with a better pass but they’ve not lost in 14 and we’ve lost one in 11.

"That tells you the match-up of the two teams.

“It needed a little bit of magic or luck to influence the game.

"We thought we had it when we smacked the bar but, overall, we’ve come away to a good team and kept a clean sheet.

“The boys were organised and showed great desire and honesty.

“That’s 11 clean sheets for the season now and I’m delighted for (goalkeeper) Luke (McGee).

"That’s his first since he came to us but he didn’t have many saves to make.”

It was City's fifth draw in their last six away games. They stay fifth while Colchester climbed a place to seventh, leapfrogging Cheltenham Town.

“We keep picking up points and I can feel it coming," added Bowyer.

"On another day, Tayls’ shot hits the bar and bounces in.

“We grew in belief as the game went on and were so keen to make something happen.

“But every point is decent because it’s another one on the board."