Relegated Bradford City ended a run of seven successive defeats with a draw at home to Gillingham, who all-but secured League One safety with their hard-earned point.

The Gills pulled to six points clear of the relegation zone with two matches to play and that should be enough to ensure Steve Lovell’s side get another season in League One barring a catastrophe.

Bottom club Bradford went in front after 10 minutes with a close-range header from right-back Kelvin Mellor, returning to the side after missing the last seven matches through injury.

Billy Clarke’s in-swinging free kick from the right caused problems for the visitors’ defence and Mellor seized his chance to plant a firm header past keeper Tomas Holy.

However, Gillingham equalised in the 53rd minute when Bantams keeper Ben Wilson failed to hold substitute Bradley Garmston’s cross and Brandon Hanlon squeezed the ball into the net.

After that, Gillingham came closest to grabbing the winner when Regan Charles-Cook saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area hit the crossbar.

Bradford enjoyed plenty of possession, but rarely troubled Holy although Sean Scannell was denied by a block from Connor Ogilvie.

Gillingham now play their final home league game of the season against Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon safe in the knowledge that they are all but certain of another campaign in football’s third tier.

 

Bradford City line up: Wilson, P O’Connor, A O’Connor, Scannell, Miller (Doyle 76), Mellor, Clarke (Butterfield 80), Anderson, Wood (Woods 76), O’Brien, Wright.

Subs not used: O’Donnell, Payne, Devine, Caddis.

Goal: Mellor (10).

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Fuller (Garmston 40), Ogilvie, Ehmer, Byrne, Lopes (Rees 65), Charles-Cook, List, Campbell (Eaves 83), Hanlan.

Subs not used: Hadler, Lacey, Oldaker, King.

Hanlan (53).

Referee: Mr Eddie Ilderton

Attendance: 15,686

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.