Bradford City 0 Preston North End 0

Kyle Bennett's Bradford debut turned sour when he was involved in a double sending off.

Bradford Winger Bennett is one of the club's six January signings, but the Doncaster loanee clashed with midfielder Neil Kilkenny in the 25th minute and both were shown red cards for fighting.

Promotion chasing Preston then hit the woodwork twice.

Striker Paul Gallagher chested Scott Laird's 27th minute cross against the post from two yards and winger Josh Brownhill rifled a shot off the upright in the second half.

Seconds before the break Bradford striker Aaron Mclean came close to scoring on his home debut with a point blank header, but keeper Declan Rudd punched clear.

Rudd then pulled off two great second half saves to make sure of a point.

Mclean had a low shot blocked by Rudd's feet and the keeper back-peddled to tip over a cross from Middlesboro loanee winger Adam Reach that was drifting under his bar.

Both managers were unhappy with referee Stuart Attwell after he showed first half red cards to Preston midfielder Neil Kilkenny and Bradford winger Kyle Bennett.

Preston boss Simon Grayson said:

"It was an entertaining game, but wasn't helped by the referee early on. There was nothing in it by either player. They pushed each other in the chest or neck area. I don't know if that constitutes a sending off, but I think you have to use common sense.

"He could've given himself a bit more breathing time and given them both yellow cards.

"We both wanted to win the game and neither team was settling for a point."

Opposite number Phil Parkinson agreed and said:

"Refereeing is about common sense. It looked innocuous to me. Stuart came into the game in the Premier League to a great fanfare. We've had him before and he was outstanding, but I think he could have used common sense. We lost the two best technical players on the pitch.

"I thought we saw two excellent teams out there in difficult conditions."