David Hopkin felt Bradford fully deserved a point at Burton

Posted Sunday, January 27, 2019 by PA

Bradford boss David Hopkin was pleased to see his side come back and grab a 1-1 draw from a tricky game at inconsistent Burton.

Former Albion midfielder Hope Akpan equalised midway through the second half for City, who remain second bottom and three points from safety.

Akpan cancelled out Lucas Akins’ first-half stoppage-time header that gave the Brewers the lead after a laboured performance from Nigel Clough’s men.

“First half I thought we were excellent and had a few chances but we switched off in injury time and it is one ball into our box and we are one down at half-time,” said Hopkin.

“I challenged the players at half-time and we came back and I thought we deserved three points in the second half.

“I have spoken to the players after the last couple of games and we said that what has got us anywhere has been our togetherness, our work-rate, everybody fighting and going that extra inch and I have seen it again today.

“A bit of belief and I could see the players really wanted to win that second half. We had three or four really good opportunities so that belief is coming and we have got players now with that desire.

“There were some great individual performances out there today but most of all it was a great team performance.”

Akpan almost stole a win for City with a header that was well saved by Brad Collins in injury time.

“Hope had a bit of a point to prove coming back to his old club and he scored a goal,” Hopkin said.

“He was giving me palpitations sometimes as I was telling him to get back in but he wanted to go and score a second, but I think that was the best game he has played for us.”

Clough agreed that it was a good point for his side coming on the back of a hectic week where Premier League champions Manchester City were in town for the Carabao Cup semi-final.

“It was a very hard game” Clough said.

“An unbelievably hard game at the end of a hard week that we have had and the effort that the players have put in during these last three games has been staggering.

“We could have won it and we could have lost it. Having got the 1-0 ahead on the stroke of half-time I thought we were going to hang on despite a bit of pressure from Bradford but it is just that ball bobbling in and around the six-yard box that seems to be falling for the opposition and not for us at the moment.

“We have hit the woodwork three or four times in the last couple of home games as well so it is just that little bit of luck that is just stopping us getting the three points today.”