DESPITE losing two more forwards to injuries, Mark Bower was happy with his Bradford (Park Avenue) side's resilient performance in their 0-0 draw with Chorley at the Horsfall Stadium.

In what was a fairly equal first half, Jamie Lyons and Harry Cardwell's efforts were well saved by both keepers.

Connor Hall failed to convert the penalty he earned in the second half, and Dan Atkinson pulled off a stunning block to stop the rebound.

The Bradford manager congratulated his team for producing such a good defensive display.

Bower said: "I am so proud of the players with them putting their bodies on the line.

"We showed that we can be resolute and keep teams out. (I am) Delighted to keep back to back clean sheets and get four points from two games.

"I think Luca (Havern) and Lundy (Mitch Lund) have struck up a really good partnership. Harry (Boyes) was excellent at left back and Mark Ross is 7/10 every week.

"Isaac Marriott is just like a Duracell bunny. He has got an unbelievable engine and his work rate is outstanding.

"They had the majority of the play first half but I thought we had the better chances. They dealt with the conditions well and had a couple of opportunities in the second half.

"The penalty save gave us a lift and we finished the game the stronger of the two teams."

Adam Nowakowski and Jaime Lyons were both forced off injured, leaving Avenue stretched up top.

Bower added: "We are trying to do the best we can with what we have got, even though we have barely got any forwards left.

"With the lads that we have got out, Tabish (Hussain), OJ (Oli Johnson), Brad (Dockerty) and only a 50% Lewis Knight, it makes it difficult.

"Losing Adam leaves us really thin. We will patch the lads up and look forward to Monday (against Boston United)."

Along with conceding the penalty, Atkinson also came steaming out and cropped down Connor Hall who was goalbound.

Bower believes the referee was right to only produce a yellow card for the free kick and was glad to see his number one redeem himself.

He said: "I was just talking to the referee and he said it is close but the lad has hit it towards the corner flag, so it is not a clear goal scoring opportunity.

"If that happens in the game and it is a midfielder it is probably a yellow card. So he just about got the decision right on that one.

"Dan makes an outstanding save and atones for his own error. They are the only two errors he has made all season.

"Playing on the (3G) pitch in these windy conditions, it is a different pace so he just had to get his adjustment right, which he didn’t, for the penalty so hopefully he will learn from that."