CITY had to settle for a point after tossing away a winning position against Newcastle’s under-21s in their opening group game in the EFL Trophy.

T&A chief sports writer SIMON PARKER was at an echoey Valley Parade last night and provides the match stats and his player ratings.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Clarke Oduor played with control and composure and was involved in the build-up to both City goals. He was one of several to push their claims for a league chance.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Lewis Richards gave away a reckless free-kick in stoppage time which allowed Newcastle under-21 back into the game with a ricocheted equaliser.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

See above. It’s becoming a costly habit for the Bantams after being punished from a cheaply-conceded set-piece for the third game running.

TACTICS

Graham Alexander made eight changes from the line-up that began the league defeat at Grimsby.

Colin Doyle played his first game since last season’s Trophy semi-final in goal while Cheick Diabate and Jack Shepherd lined up either side of Neill Byrne in the back three.

Like Byrne, Brad Halliday and Richie Smallwood both stayed in but Clarke Oduor and Joe Adams got the number eight slots.

Up front, Jamie Walker was pushed forward to partner Olly Sanderson.

REFEREE: Dale Baines (Merseyside)

BOOKING: McArthur (Newcastle)

ATTENDANCE: 1,790 (with 86 from Newcastle)

SHOTS ON TARGET: City 8 Newcastle U21 4

SHOTS OFF TARGET: City 10 Newcastle U21 3

CORNERS: City 7 Newcastle U21 1

FOULS: City 14 Newcastle U21 6

POSSESSION %: City 55 Newcastle U21 45

PLAYER RATINGS

CITY: Doyle 6, Diabate 7, Byrne 7, Shepherd 7, Halliday 6 (Benn 64min, 7), Smallwood 7 (Pattison 64min, 6), Richards 6, Adams 7 (Pointon 64min, 6), Oduor 7 (Smith 82min), Walker 7, Sanderson 7 (Cook 64min, 6). Subs (not used): Kelly, S Walker.

NEWCASTLE U21: Harris 7, C Thompson 6, Heffernan 7, McArthur 6, Charlton 6, Stanton 6, Munda 7 (Huntley 74min), Turner-Cooke 8, Alfie Harrison 7 (Donaldson 60min, 7), Emerson 7 (Bloomer 88min), Parkinson 7. Subs (not used): Adam Harrison, Bailey, Harry Powell, Rory Powell.