Newport County were held to a goalless draw against ten men Bradford City on Saturday afternoon.
The Exiles four-game winning streak came to an end at Rodney Parade against promotion pushing Bradford City.
Despite the draw, the Exiles extended their unbeaten run to six games and saw them earn their tenth clean sheet in the league.
An early red card for Jack Shepherd dictated the tempo of the match, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances throughout the remainder of the game.
Head coach Nelson Jardim named an unchanged side to the one that defeated Carlisle United last time out. Geoffroy Bony replaced Kyle Hudlin on the Exiles bench.
County started on the front foot with David Ajiboye as he drove at the Bradford defence but the final ball was unable to connect with any of his fellow attackers.
Moments later, it was Ajiboye again who picked up the ball on the edge of the box but this time his ball found Courtney Baker-Richardson in space. The striker took one touch and looked to bend it around Sam Walker but the keeper stood tall and denied County.
Once again it was the Exiles who looked to open the scoring early as a great ball was played in the box by Anthony Glennon but Baker-Richardson’s headed effort glanced just wide.
In the 17th minute, the visitors saw themselves down to ten men as Shepherd was sent off. After a great touch and pass from Bobby Kamwa unleashed Baker-Richardson through on goal, Shepherd brought down the striker and saw red for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
The Bantams had an opportunity on the break and the ball fell to Bobby Pointon whose long range effort was over the bar.
Another chance fell for Bradford after Michael Mellon worked his way into the County box but his effort was held well by Townsend.
Shane McLoughlin whipped in a great cross this was flicked goal wards by Glennon whose outside of the boot touch was caught well by Walker.
Following a well worked corner routine, Matt Baker found himself with space in the box and his shot hit the outside of the post but the follow up was wide by James Clarke.
Just before half time, Kamwa did brilliantly to win a free kick for the Exiles on the edge of the box after he committed Brad Halliday into making a foul. The subsequent free kick was well delivered by Glennon but there were no County players able to get a touch on it.
Half Time
A half time substitution saw Joe Thomas replaced by Josh Martin as Jardim looked to break down ten men Bradford.
The first shot on target fell to the Bantams with Mellon making an excellent run into the box to lose his marker but his shot was saved superbly by Townsend who got down low to his right to prevent the visitors.
Baker-Richardson did well to draw a foul from Romany Crichlow on the edge of the box. The freekick that followed was played left to Glennon whose ball in was met by Baker-Richardson but he wasn’t able to direct his headed effort on target.
Once again, Mellon proved to be a danger as the striker spun in behind Clarke but his unorthodox outside of the boot effort went wide.
It was the Exiles turn to attack moments later as Martin did brilliantly to bring the ball down on the right wing and he whipped a cross in that landed in front of Kamwa. Unfortunately the winger was unable to properly connect at the far post.
As they looked to grow into the second half the Exiles worked the ball to Cameron Antwi who took aim from distance but his effort was held well by Walker.
Bantams substitute, Jamie Walker, tried to catch Townsend out with a shot from range but the County keeper made a comfortable save to prevent the attacker.
Walker again looked to deal a dagger blow to the Exiles with the attacker doing well to force County substitute Kyle Jameson into giving away a corner. The corner that followed was defended excellently by Baker who headed away.
In injury time, County looked to get in behind as substitute Geoffroy Bony was played through on goal but he was well defended by Crichlow who shrugged him off the ball.
The last chance of the game saw Townsend forced into a save as he tipped the ball over the bar after Crichlow headed from a corner.
Full time
The Exiles return to League Two action next Saturday, when they host Cheltenham Town (3pm).
Attendance: 4760 (729 away)
Newport County: Townsend, Glennon, C.Evans (Jameson 87’), Baker, Clarke (C)(Patten 94’), Thomas (Martin 46’), Antwi, McLoughlin, Kamwa (Spellman 86’), Baker-Richardson, Ajiboye (Bony 66’).
Substitutes: Webb, Warner.
Bradford City: Walker, Halliday, Smallwood (C), Sarcevic, Baldwin, Huntington, Pointon (Crichlow 24’), Shepherd, Mellon (Walker 76’), Leigh, Adaramola (Johnson 86’).
Substitutes: Hilton, Khela, Pattison, Lapslie.