Bradford denied by Pressman's heroics

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Bradford 1

The Bradford manager, Jim Jefferies, and his Wednesday counterpart, Peter Shreeves, joined forces to sing the praises of the veteran goalkeeper Kevin Pressman last night.

Pressman was in sensational form, producing three stunning saves to deny Bradford victory in the Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough. After first-half stops to thwart the former Owls player Benito Carbone and the midfielder Eoin Jess, Pressman was beaten by a sweeping Bantams move 75 seconds into the second half.

It was Carbone who fired Bradford in front by sweeping home his third goal of the season, but Wednesday equalised on the hour through their own Italian star – Michele di Piedi.

After the game Jefferies said: "If it had not been for Pressman, who produced some fantastic saves, then we would have taken all three points." Shreeves added: "His exhibition, particularly in the first half, was outstanding."

Sheffield Wednesday: Pressman, Haslam (Morrison, 52), Westwood, Bromby, Maddix, McLaren, Soltvedt, Quinn, Palmer, Ekoku (Di Piedi, 23), Johnson (Bonvin, 78). Substitutes not used: Stringer, Lescott.

Bradford: Walsh, Wetherall, Molenaar, Jacobs (Myers, 89), Halle, Locke (Blake, 76), McCall, Tod, Carbone, Jess (Lawrence, 76),

Whalley. Substitutes not used: Davison, Makel.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).