IT WAS effective but far from pretty at Edgeley Park last night.

City held Stockport to their first blank at home in 13 games. But equally, the Bantams hardly showed any attacking edge in a dour spectacle.

Not a contest to write home about but there were still some talking points to come out of the game.

COOKING UP GOALS

Back-to-back clean sheets on the road is nothing to be sniffed at despite the lack of quality from last night’s game.

But the growing concern is the absence of goals at the other end.

This was the fifth consecutive away game where City have fired a blank - a run going back to the win at Sutton on November 12.

In other words, they haven’t scored on their travels since Andy Cook hit the last of his 16 goals the week after.

The clamour for his return has grown after the Bantams managed just a single effort on target against Stockport - Vadaine Oliver’s shot on the turn straight at keeper Ben Hinchliffe.

But Oliver could argue with some justification about the lack of service he received. Would Cook have fared any more successfully feeding off the same scraps?

It’s a worry that City are looking a bit toothless as a team right now.

USING HIS HEAD

Harry Lewis was pumped up to deliver a fitting performance in memory of late grandad Ken Mulhearn.

He certainly kept his head under pressure to deny the team where Mulhearn first made his name in a title-winning career.

Lewis only had two efforts on target to deal with but stood up to both, including a freakish block to deny Neill Byrne.

The former Tranmere defender must have thought he’d broken the deadlock with a close-range header - but Lewis was in the right place at the right time to deflect it over the bar off his forehead.

Cue the new song, “Harry Lewis, he saves with his head!”

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Mark Hughes had a pop at referee Martin Coy for not awarding a penalty for Will Collar’s nudge from behind on Alex Gilliead.

The Bantams boss saw it as a carbon copy to the one Tyreik Wright didn’t get in the Leyton Orient game - and which the refereeing authorities later apologised for.

Then you remember the spot-kick Rochdale were awarded for something very similar involving Brad Halliday at Valley Parade.

Hughes has tried to avoid moaning too much about officials but no wonder it has become a depressingly common theme lately.

It’s hard to avoid the feeling that City are getting the rough end of the stick right now.

MAKING HIS MARK

There was a moment in the second half when the ref sprayed a precise line where City should take a free-kick.

 

 

And when he turned his back, Adam Clayton immediately rubbed it out with his foot and advanced the ball a couple of yards.

Clayton looked the part straight away as he gave a bit of edge to the midfield. It wasn’t just his composure in such a hectic contest that caught the eye but also that streetwise streak in his play.

City have often been accused of being too nice and too quiet but Clayton’s addition in the middle of the park should redress the balance.

He comes with oodles of experience and that also includes knowing what buttons to press. Every team needs characters like that.

HYPER BOLA

Tolaji Bola looked rusty in his first senior outing on the pitch in four months.

The Rotherham loanee misplaced a few nervy throw-ins and, while a willing runner up City’s left side, took time to get into the game.

But his debut wasn’t as poor as some have made out on social media. He improved as the contest went on and will be better for getting that return to action under his belt.

A lot of fans are understandably frustrated to see Matty Foulds, one of their own, go out on loan to Harrogate.

But his higher-division replacement should not be written off after one night - and an away clean sheet.

GOING, GOING GONE?

With City now without a game until a week on Saturday, it will be interesting to see who from last night’s squad is still “in the building”.

The transfer window shuts at 11pm on Tuesday and more exits are anticipated to go with the five players who have already left.

Mark Hughes will need to create a bit more wiggle room should he be pushing for any late business.

Yann Songo’o, Ryan East and Levi Sutton all sat unused on the bench at Edgeley Park. Expect at least one of them to be moved on.

Luke Hendrie and Timi Odusina, who weren’t involved again, could also be viewed as surplus to requirements in the short term.