Andrew Davies was sent off for the second time but City's ten man battled for a draw at Swindon.
The Bantams were again left fuming by a refereeing decision and the defender's red card - in his first game back from suspension - looked ridiculously harsh.
But they weathered the Swindon storm for the final half hour to pocket a valuable point.
City were quickly out the blocks and won a free-kick inside the penalty area after Wes Foderingham picked up a backpass. But with the entire Swindon team on the goalline, Michael Flynn's drive was charged down by Matt Ritchie.
Swindon's right winger was their chief threat in a first half which featured plenty of effort but little in the way of chances.
City played their part in stifling the home side with important blocks at the back from Luke Oliver and Davies. Luke O'Brien, making his first league start of the season, also won a key header against two taller opponents.
Matt Duke tipped over a wind-assisted Paul Caddis free-kick but there was an air of frustration around the ground at half-time. City's build-up play was promising without creating anything to test Foderingham.
O'Brien's hesitation nearly let in Ritchie soon after the break and Davies threw himself in the way of another effort from the wideman.
But the on-loan defender's day was sensationally cut short after 57 minutes when he fouled Jake Jervis just inside the City half. Referee Oliver Langford saw it as worthy of a straight red card.
City reshuffled with Bryan sacrificed for Liam Moore and Fagan dropping back to midfield. It became a game of attack versus defence.
Mehdi Kerrouche nodded a free header across goal as the defence momentarily switched off and Duke made a fine save with his legs from Caddis.
Moore produced a brave block from Cristian Montano as Swindon queued up to shoot.
Montano was inches away from a late winner but City doggedly held on for a hard-earned share of the spoils.
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