MORECAMBE should have scored four or five by half-time – that was the home verdict about the win that got away last night.

Danny Grainger felt the Shrimps had the chances to be out of sight before City wrecked their hopes of a first league success of the campaign.

Jack Shepherd’s late header cancelled out an early own goal from fellow centre half Cheick Diabate.

But Morecambe paid the price for failing to take several big opportunities when they had the Bantams wobbling in a one-sided first half.

Derek Adams did not do the post-match media talking, instead leaving it to right-hand man Grainger.

And the Morecambe number two could not hide his frustration as that elusive opening victory slipped away.

“I thought we were excellent,” said Grainger. “We probably should have been out of sight in the first half.

“If we’d have come in at 4-0 or 5-0, I don’t think anybody could have said anything against it. We were totally dominant.

“Even in the second half, I always felt we were comfortable. They had a lot of the ball, but I can’t remember Stu (Stuart Moore) making many saves when you thought you’re on the edge of your seat.

“You’ve got Andy Cook in there who’s probably one of the best strikers in this division and we’ve kept him quiet all night and limited him to very few opportunities.

“We were obviously trying to defend our box late on but even then Callum Jones has one tipped round the post and we have a couple that just squirm past the near post from crosses from Adam Lewis.

“We’re absolutely gutted because I think we thoroughly deserved the three points. The game should have been done by half-time.

“But if you don’t put it to bed, there’s always that chance of a team getting back in. A team like Bradford, when they’ve got the likes of Andy Cook in there, he’s always a threat and then they are bringing on players like Vadaine Oliver.

“They are always going to get an opportunity and unfortunately for us we couldn’t keep it out.”

Morecambe have not won in the league since beating Barrow on April 1. But this was a fourth consecutive draw and Grainger senses the breakthrough is close.

“We are positive about things. The win is going to come.

“That group of players work so hard and I can’t sing their praises enough. Once they get on a roll, they’ll take some stopping.”