Bradford City boss on controversial Doncaster Rovers flashpoint + 'unusual' Grant McCann comments

Bantams substitute Tyreik Wright's terrific volley ensured the points stayed in West Yorkshire, although Rovers had a clutch of chances to open the scoring earlier on in the contest.

Arguably the most controversial episode of the game though came in the first half when Bradford debutant Kayden Jackson thought he'd given the hosts the lead after tapping home from close-range. Referee Craig Hicks originally awarded the goal but after a discussion with fourth official Paul Marsden it was then chalked off for handball by Jackson in the build-up.

There are some suggestions that Rovers' bench showed Marsden an immediate replay of the incident, via an iPad or laptop, which led to the on-field decision being reversed.

Bradford chief Graham Alexander had his say on the incident: "When we question a decision on the pitch, the fourth officials will say that he’s (referee) right there and closer to it than me. We hear that regardless of what they think has happened. He was under massive pressure from the opposition bench and I could hear them saying they’d seen it. He said he saw it live. I can only go off what people tell me and take them at their word. But I didn't see it.

"We see it at the top level with VAR. How they come around with the decisions is not consistent. I know when we're questioning other things that go on the pitch, a lot of the feedback is that the referee is much closer to them than me. They can't have it both ways for me."

Rovers manager Grant McCann said of the episode: "What amazes me, and probably why everyone in here was so frustrated, is we've got the linesmen 12 yards away and a referee four or five yards away and they can't see it.

"He's the one who sees it, like everybody else in the place can see it. That's where you get frustrated as a manager. That's where you end up getting yourself in trouble."

The latest meeting between these two sides - a seventh in the space of just two years - was not short of talking points or drama, even in the build-up.

One moment in McCann's pre-match press conference on Thursday saw him appear to break the news that Bradford were about to sign Ethan Wheatley from Manchester United - something that is still yet to be officially announced or seemingly ratified.

On that particular topic, Alexander seemed less than impressed.

He added: "I don't know why (he said it). It's unusual that a manager will talk about another club's recruitment.

“When we have something signed, sealed and delivered, our supporters will be the first to know. We don't hold anything back. We don't hide things but you won't find me doing that."