Plymouth Argyle hang on for a point which moves them off the foot of the table

at Home Park

Argyle failed to score for the fourth game out of their last five at Home Park as they drew with Bradford last night.

The result moved the Pilgrims off the bottom of the League Two table, above Accrington Stanley on goal difference, and up to 23rd.

Accrington lost 3-0 to Fleetwood Town, who will be the visitors to Home Park on Saturday.

Argyle's main attacking threat came from Crystal Palace loan signing Jason Banton and he came closest to scoring for them early in the second half.

Banton fired a 51st-minute shot against the near post and the ball rebounded away to safety.

Bradford came on strong after that with a powerful blast from striker Garry Thompson hitting the top of the bar.

Argyle's new loan signing Joe Bryan went straight into the starting line-up last night having completed a move from Championship club Bristol City earlier in the day.

There was also a recall for Paul Wotton, who played at centre-back in the absence of the injured Anthony Charles. It was Wotton's 468th appearance for the Pilgrims and moved him into third position on Argyle's all-time list.

Charles was ruled out by a groin injury he suffered in the 2-1 defeat away to table-topping Gillingham on Saturday.

Bryan played on the left of midfield, with Banton given an attacking role behind striker Reuben Reid in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Bradford arrived at Home Park in 11th position in the table but still with a shot of securing a play-off spot. Their side showed six changes from the 1-1 draw at home to Aldershot Town, and there were some surprise omissions.

Argyle had the first chance in the seventh minute when midfielder Andres Gurrieri shot over the bar after a left-wing cross from Reid.

Moments later, Bradford had a tremendous lead to take the lead through Thompson. The City striker looked offside but no flag was raised and he had a one-on-one with Cole, the Argyle 'keeper.

However, Cole spread his body and made a crucial save, with the ball bouncing out for a corner.

Banton had a fierce strike fumbled by Bradford 'keeper Matt Duke in the 24th minute and, seconds later, he set up Gurrieri for a good chance.

Gurrieri's first-time shot beat Duke but it was cleared away by City left-back Carl McHugh from inside the six-yard area.

Argyle conceded a number of free-kicks inside their own territory but Bradford did not capitalise on any of them.

An excellent pass from midfielder Lee Cox released Argyle captain Conor Hourihane inside the Bradford penalty area in the 43rd minute but he was bravely tackled by McHugh.

The final action of the first half saw McHugh head wide from a corner taken by midfielder Zavon Hines.

After Banton came close in the 51st minute, the on-loan Crystal Palace player had another low shot saved by Duke in the 58th minute.

McHugh then headed wide from a corner taken by City midfielder Michael Doyle as the stalemate continued.

Banton had a dipping 25-yard shot from distance saved by Duke after a free-kick was rolled short to him by Gurrieri.

Bradford thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 66th minute for a foul on Reid by Argyle right-back Maxime Blanchard.

Referee Andy Davies ruled that the offence took place on the edge of the penalty area.

Blanchard needed lengthy treatment from physio Paul Atkinson and was booked when he eventually got up.

Argyle's first substitution came in the 69th minute when Reid was replaced by Nick Chadwick.

Wotton fired wide from a long-range free-kick after a foul on Chadwick in a central position by Rory McArdle.

Atkinson was sent on as a 78th minute substitute for Bradford with Hines the one to make way for him. Moments later, Thompson crashed a 20-yard shot against the top of the bar after a miscued attempted clearance by Cox.

Bradford were pushing hard to take the lead and Reid's powerful shot was beaten away by Cole. It broke to City substitute James Hanson and his follow-up attempt deflected wide for a corner. Cole made another save, at the second attempt, from Bradford's third substitute Alan Connell as Argyle came under pressure.

The Pilgrims made a double change in the 86th minute with Paris Cowan-Hall and Tyler Harvey replacing Gurrieri and Bryan respectively. Six minutes of stoppage time were added after a series of injuries, with Connell having a tame shot easily held on to by Cole.

There was late drama when Harvey chased after a long punt forward and looked to have fouled Duke as the 'keeper tried to catch the ball.

However, Davies did not blow his whistle and both Harvey and Chadwick tried to stab the ball into the net, only to be denied by McHugh. Although it did not end up in a goal Bradford's players still surrounded Davies at full time to protest at his decision not to award a free-kick for a foul on Duke.

Plymouth Argyle (4-3-3): Cole; Blanchard, Wotton, Branston, Bhasera; Hourihane, Cox, Bryan (Harvey 86); Gurrieri (Cowan-Hall 86), R Reid (Chadwick 69), Banton. Substitutes (not used): Chenoweth (gk), Berry, Young, Murray.

Bookings: Branston, Blanchard.

Bradford City (4-5-1): Duke; Darby, McArdle, Davies, McHugh; Hines (Atkinson 78), Ravenhill, Thompson (Connell 80), Doyle, K Reid; Gray (Hanson 67). Substitutes (not used): McLaughlin (gk), Jones, Wells, Nelson.

Bookings: Ravenhill.

Referee: A Davies (Hampshire).

Attendance: 5,609.