Peter Taylor felt City passed their test against the side he is tipping as promotion favourites.

The Bantams battled their way to a goalless draw with second-placed Notts County at soggy Valley Parade last night.

City bounced back from Saturday’s loss at lowly Hereford and Taylor said: “You always enjoy yourself when players respond like that.

“We knew it was going to be a big test and I’m delighted with the outcome. It was a great clean sheet for us.”

It was the first time that free-scoring County had fired a blank in the league since November.

Taylor added: “Notts County have got eight strikers who have scored at this level so they are very strong. They’ve also got a goalkeeper that’s different class.

“If they don’t get injuries, Notts County will be very strong favourites for promotion. So to play as well as we did against such a good team is really encouraging.

“We started a little bit nervously but once we started having two touches at the back instead of just heading it away when we didn’t have to, we began to have a few more chances.

“Over the 90 minutes I think their goalkeeper was a little bit busier than ours.”

Taylor made four changes from the Edgar Street failure and left out Matt Clarke completely. Zesh Rehman played his first game since Accring-ton and was also made skipper.

The City boss said: “I decided to rest Matt. I thought he looked tired on Saturday.

“We had a long journey back (from Hereford) and you then go and play on that pitch against the good strikers that Notts County have. I thought it might have been a time to put fresh legs in. I put Steve Williams in there and, like the rest of the back four, he started nervously but then got stronger.

“You don’t get a minute’s peace with Luke Rodgers. He’s an absolute pest but a good player.”

City will be hoping the pitch can recover in time for this weekend’s home clash with Dagenham.

Tonight’s reserve game against Scunthorpe has been called off as a precaution.

Taylor said: “We could really do with some dry weather.”