Bradford earn FA Cup replay with Reading after goalless draw

FA Cup giantkillers Bradford City and Championship Reading played out a full-blooded 0-0 draw in their quarter-final on Saturday to force a replay with a Wembley semi-final at stake.

Third-tier Bradford, who knocked out Premier League leaders Chelsea and Sunderland in a remarkable run to the last eight, dominated much of the second half but were unable to break down Reading’s resolute defence.

Despite living a charmed life, second-tier Reading could have won it in the closing minutes when Oliver Norwood’s looping free kick hit the post and caused havoc in the Bradford area.

“It was just two teams going at it 100 per cent in a proper cup tie and it was difficult for both sides I think,” Bradford forward Jon Stead said.

“We’re still in the hat but there’s a little bit of disappointment because we’ve not got through.

“We [dominated] the second half so that we can take great credit from but it’s half a job so we’ve still got to do the business down there.”

With a heavy pitch making attacking play difficult both sides were content to hit speculative long-balls.