Alexander the leveller for Preston

A Graham Alexander penalty eight minutes into the second half ensured that honours ended even in the encounter between two of the First Division's form sides, Preston and Bradford, at Deepdale last night.

In the 26th minute Robbie Blake had given Jim Jefferies good reason to celebrate the first anniversary of his taking over at Bradford with a 25-yard thunderbolt to give Bradford the lead at half-time.

Bradford almost doubled their advantage two minutes later but Stuart McCall put his lob on to the top of the crossbar after surging from midfield and playing a neat one-two with Andy Tod.

Prior to Alexander's penalty, the visitors had looked the more likely to add to the score and Jess flicked over with the outside of his foot from McCall's header into the danger area.