Steve Jones has put one item on the top of his Christmas list – a first City goal.

The on-loan Burnley winger is still waiting to get off the mark after firing another blank in Saturday’s stalemate with Chester.

Jones saw a good effort tipped away by keeper John Danby – one of several crucial saves from the Chester stopper to frustrate the home side.

Danby superbly denied Omar Daley and Graeme Lee late on as City were held to Valley Parade’s first goalless draw for 14 months.

It was also the first time City had failed to score at home since March.

But it has become a familiar story for Jones, who has gone close to opening his account on numerous occasions in his previous three loan outings.

He admitted: “The ball usually goes in the back of the net for me. I’m used to scoring.

“It’s probably a bit of rustiness but I’ll keep on trying and I’m sure that as soon as I get one they will all follow.

“But how the ball didn’t go in the net for us was a mystery. Chester came with a game-plan to get a point and good luck to them. The keeper pulled off some great saves and was their best player.”

It was the second home draw on the spin for City and not the start to the festive schedule they had hoped for. Yet despite dropping two points, they still moved up a spot to fourth in the congested League Two table.

“The crowd were tremendous again and it’s disappointing that we didn’t get the win for them because they deserve it,” said Jones.

“But the table is so close and it’s going to be a great climax to the season. I just hope we’ll be up there.

“I’ve not been told anything about my loan yet so I’m just concentrating on doing well for Bradford City each game – and a goal would be the perfect Christmas present!”

With Peter Thorne recovering from his shoulder injury, Barry Conlon got the start up front and Stuart McCall is optimistic he will snap up City’s contract offer for the rest of the season.

McCall, currently struggling with a virus, said: “I haven’t had a chance to speak to Baz but his agent seems happy so hopefully he’ll put pen to paper.

“Baz has done well in the short-term contract he’s had and hopefully will do so again.”