Chesterfield keep play-off hopes alive after late draw with Bradford

Liam Mandeville struck in added time to keep Chesterfield’s play-off hopes alive following a 3-3 draw against Bradford.

Goals from Bobby Pointon, Antoni Sarcevic and Alex Pattison gave third-placed Bradford a 3-1 lead but Will Grigg and Mandeville added to Jenson Metcalfe’s effort to force a draw.

The visitors took a 10th-minute lead when Pattison made a surging run and slipped the ball to Pointon, who sent his shot beyond Ryan Boot in the Chesterfield goal.

After Tom Naylor fouled Sarcevic inside the penalty area, Sarcevic put Bradford further ahead from the spot in the 19th minute.

Chesterfield pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Michael Olakigbe’s cut-back found Metcalfe at the edge of the area and the midfielder curled the ball past Walker.

Pattison added a third for Bradford shortly after the break, powering a header past the keeper from Tayo Adaramola’s cross.

Grigg set up an exciting finish, scoring in the 71st minute after receiving a through ball from Metcalfe and rounding Walker.

Mandeville then equalised two minutes into added time, stabbing the ball into the net after Olakigbe played it into the area.