If it's excitement and goalmouth action you crave from football, then Valley Parade was the place to be during this pulsating Yorkshire derby.

Both Bradford City and Sheffield United served up a real cracker of a game in which the only surprise was that the two sides shared only four goals.

For the Bantams fans in the 13,169 crowd, however, the enjoyment derived from this thriller must have been tempered by the frustration at seeing their side come away with just one point.

It was a game where a victory was there for the taking for Paul Jewell's side but a combination of good goalkeeping and indifferent finishing saw that opportunity frittered away.

Going forward City produced their best display of the season with some tremendous movement being allied to an intelligent passing game which left the Blades defence creaking.

Time and again, particularly in the first half, the Bantams carved open the visitors to such an extent that United player manager Steve Bruce looked a very worried man at half-time.

By that stage City had cancelled out Dean Saunders' opening goal with well worked strikes by Lee Mills and Robbie Blake and could consider themselves unfortunate not to have been even further in front.

The midfield had taken control once City had gone behind with Stuart McCall again leading by example. At times the former Rangers star has appeared to be trying to do too much this season, but against the Blades he was an inspiration.

And with Peter Beagrie and right back Stephen Wright excelling on either flank, it meant the Bantams looked capable of scoring with every attack in the opening 45 minutes.

City's first goal came as a result of McCall's vision. The flame-haired midfielder produced a stunning cross for Lee Mills to power a header past Andy Goram in the Blades goal.

Mills' 18th minute strike heralded a period of complete City domination which, crucially as it turned out, yielded just one further goal.

That came when Wayne Jacobs' low cross found Blake with his back to goal and Bruce breathing down his neck. The City striker, however, made the hugely experienced former Manchester United defender look like a novice with an exquisite turn and shot past Goram.

It was just reward for Blake who, making his first appearance of the season, repeated the form which has seen him stand out for the reserves in recent weeks.

The striker's ability to hold on to the ball before laying it off to a team-mate gave City a superb platform for attack and if he could only have netted a clear-cut chance with 11 minutes remaining Blake would have enjoyed the perfect return to the first team.

As impressive as City were in attack, however, the doubts about the defence still remain. In their first seven games they have now conceded 13 goals and that is simply not good enough.

In fact United's opening goal offered a good illustration of the problems which are dogging City. It came in the 11th minute when the impressive Graham Stuart caught the Bantams defence napping by chipping a quick free kick into the area. It found the unmarked Saunders and the Welsh international had the simple task of rolling a shot wide of Gary Walsh and into the net.

United were also allowed to create several other clear openings and if City are to progress up the table in the coming weeks, then they must cut out the simple mistakes and lapses in concentration which are gifting goals to the opposition.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.