CARLING Cup heroes Port Vale delivered another display of Yorkshire grit to blank out Stuart McCall's Bradford.

Vale stunned Championship side Sheffield United in midweek with a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane.

And they returned to the White Rose county to battle their way to a handy awayday point in this Valley Parade stalemate.

Vale manager Micky Adams admitted that the cup heroics had drained his side, but he was pleased at the way they had frustrated the home team.

Adams said: "On reflection, a point here before they really got going is a decent point.

"But the longer the game wore on, I started to feel slightly disappointed.

"My team gave me everything they've got and I don't doubt the determination. We just looked a little bit tired in certain areas and a bit jaded which is understandable. We didn't pass it as well as on Tuesday but I thought we defended a lot better.

"The three lads at the back were fantastic."

Rookie keeper Chris Martin, 19, was the hero against the Blades in midweek. But he was rarely tested by a Bradford side still looking for their first goal this season.

His best saves came late on to deny full-back Luke O'Brien's skidding 25-yarder and then to grab an awkward cross-shot from Bantams' James Hanson in stoppage time.

City striker Peter Thorne almost got in early on from Hanson's flick but Vale responded with two efforts from centre-halves John McCombe and Gareth Owen.

Owen then did his job at the other end to keep out a dangerous cross from Hanson as Thorne tried to sneak in at the far post.

Chances were at a premium but Chris Brandon found room for a long-range effort which Martin gathered comfortably.

Bradford were still licking their wounds following a 5-0 bashing at Notts County - the heaviest opening-day loss in the club's history - and then a deserved 3-0 Carling Cup exit against Nottingham Forest.

But they could not force a goal despite upping their efforts after the break.

Substitute Gareth Evans did well to control a long pass from Simon Ramsden but his instant snap shot whistled over Martin's bar.

Robert Taylor had Vale's best chance after the break when he held off Steve Williams on the edge of the Bradford penalty area. But Zesh Rehman was across in a flash with a goal-saving block.

Bradford boss McCall said: "It was the game that I expected. We knew it would be a game of patience.

"We didn't switch the ball quickly enough first half.

"It was better in the second half but they were always going to be difficult to break down with the three centre-halves and the three boys in midfield working their socks off."

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HEREFORD 1, CHELTENHAM 1

JONNY GODSMARK continued his dream week with a late equaliser when Hereford looked dead and buried.

The 19-year-old's extra-time winner dumped Charlton out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday and the Newcastle loanee struck late again here to earn a point.

Cheltenham's Carling Cup scorer Elvis Hammond looked to have bagged all three points for the dominant Robins with a 59th-minute strike.

But razor-sharp Godsmark had other ideas - popping up with a goal to leave Bulls boss John Trewick waxing lyrical.

Trewick said: "Godsmark's performance was fantastic and he did great because he had very few chances to get on the ball.

"We have got him until Christmas and the lad looks a great prospect for us."

Cheltenham laid siege to the home net after Godsmark's equaliser and Hammond had the ball in the net in injury time, only for the linesman to raise his flag.

Robins boss Martin Allen said: "We absolutely mullered them. Everyone is disappointed we didn't win the game.

"The frenetic finish showed the character of the team and we have got to maintain these performances now."

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ROCHDALE 1, ALDERSHOT 0

TOM KENNEDY scored an injury-time penalty to snatch 10-man Rochdale's dramatic victory at Spotland.

Defender Nathan Stanton was sent off after just 15 minutes for a foul on Marvin Morgan.

But Dale did more than hold on and got their reward when Chris Blackburn handled Craig Dawson's shot and Kennedy netted from the spot.

Spotland chief Keith Hill side: "It was an outstanding performance from everyone."

Shots boss Gary Waddock was furious at ref Phil Gibbs giving the penalty.

He said: "We got done by that decision."

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DARLINGTON 0, BURY 0

PLAYER-COACH Dean Windass blew his big chance on the pitch - and got a rocket for it from his wife.

Darlo sub Windass, 40, tapped an 89th-minute penalty straight at Wayne Brown after the Bury keeper had fouled Curtis Main.

Windass said: "It was c**p. My missus just told me she could have done better in her stilettos. I'm gutted."

His miss cost Darlo a point as on-loan Sheffield United striker Jordan Robertson, 21, headed a 59th-minute winner.

Shakers signed Robertson on Friday to ease their injury crisis. Boss Alan Knill said: "I'm indebted to United. A lot of clubs were after him."

CHESTERFIELD 1, NORTHAMPTON 0

ON-LOAN Manchester City rookie Donal McDermott fired a first-half stunner for Chesterfield.

Irish winger McDermott, 19, is on a three-month loan - and made himself an instant a hero with Saltergate fans by drilling in a 20-yarder on 32 minutes.

Boss John Sheridan said: "He's got lots to offer and he's very exciting to watch. The crowd have taken to him straight away."

Northampton are still looking for their first goal of the season.

Under-fire manager Stuart Gray said: "We started brightly but we seemed to take our foot off."

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ACCRINGTON 1, LINCOLN 0

DARREN KEMPSON got Stanley off the mark as they chalked up their first points of the season.

Centre-back Kempson headed home in the 51st minute and Accrington held on to sink Lincoln.

Happy boss John Coleman said: "Darren scored a good goal and I felt we got on top from then.

"There were a few nervous moments towards the end, but the players did me proud."

Imps boss Peter Jackson said: "We had enough chances to have got something from the match, we just didn't take them. It is frustrating because we're creating but just not finishing."

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MACCLESFIELD 0, NOTTS COUNTY 4

MACC fans wore blonde wigs and Ulrika Jonsson facemasks but it didn't stop Sven Goran Eriksson's side's goal charge.

Magpies made it nine in two games - but boss Ian McParland was even happier at not conceding again.

He said: "We got the goals at a nice time but clean sheets will get you promoted."

Ricky Ravenhill grabbed a 13th-minute opener and Stephen Hunt headed No 2 just before the break.

Lee Hughes got a third - to add to last week's hat-trick against Bradford - and Craig Westcarr netted a late fourth.

Unhappy Macc boss Keith Alexander said: "We need to defend better from set-pieces."

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BOURNEMOUTH 1, ROTHERHAM 0

MARK ROBINS blasted his side's shoddy defending after Rotherham crash to their first defeat.

Bournemouth's Ryan Garry grabbed the winner right on half-time - although he knew nothing about the goal having suffered concussion earlier in the game.

But Millers boss Robins was quick to point the finger at his troops. He rapped: said: "I''m not pleased with the way we defended at times or the way we passed the ball.

"Their two strikers Steve Fletcher and Brett Pitman made it uncomfortable for our central pairing, pulling them around."

It was Fletcher's flick which allowed Lee Bradbury to cross for Garry's winner.

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DAG & RED 5, TORQUAY 3

DANNY GREEN scored two and made another on his home debut as Dagenham taught Torquay a few lessons.

Gulls boss Paul Buckle said: "It was crazy and we could have got a draw - but we didn't deserve anything. This league is unforgiving."

Peter Gain put Dagenham in front on 18 minutes.

Green bagged his double on 55 and 56 minutes then set up Josh Scott, to make it 4-1 - after Nicky Wroe's penalty cut the gap following Mark Arber's foul on Elliot Benyon.

Benyon and Mustapha Carayol still got Gulls back to 4-3 in the final 10 minutes before sub Wesley Thomas hit Daggers' fifth.

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BURTON 5, MORCAMBE 2

GREG PEARSON was the hat-trick hero as Burton blasted five.

Pearson scored two in the first 13 minutes before Ian Craney got one back.

Shaun Harrad's curler made it 3-1 at the break and Pearson bagged No 4 from the spot after Danny Adams felled him.

Phil Jevons hit back for Shrimps but John McGrath poked home Burton's fifth.

Brewers manager Paul Peschisolido said: "We wanted to make it exciting!"

Morecambe's Mark Duffy saw red for an 87th-minute tackle on McGrath.

Boss Sammy McIlroy said: "I'm embarrassed."

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BARNET 2, SHREWSBURY 2

PAUL SIMPSON was fuming after a disputed penalty left Shrewsbury trailing.

Nathan Elder headed Town in front after just two minutes.

But Barnet were awarded the first of their two spot- kicks when Craig Disley fouled Albert Adomah.

Paul Furlong's penalty was saved by Chris Neal but Jake Hyde scrambled a leveller.

Hyde won another penalty for a Dean Holden challenge and converted it himself.

Dave Hibbert levelled after the break but Simpson rapped: "The referee was very quick to give the second penalty."

Bees chief Ian Hendon said: "In the second half we didn't perform at all."

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GRIMSBY 0, CREWE 4

GRUMPY Grimsby boss Mike Newell read his flops the riot act after another horror show.

Mariners were thumped 4-0 by Tranmere on Tuesday - and this could have been worse.

Newell said: "That's as bad a performance I've seen here, possibly in my time in management. It's unacceptable."

Calvin Zola scored two in the first half before Billy Jones' penalty - after Nick Hegarty felled Byron Moore - and a Moore strike put Crewe out of sight.

Alex boss Gudjon Thordarson said: "I hope this result kick-starts our season."

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