BRADFORD and Preston served up a predictable 1-1 stalemate to consolidate each other's mid-table position, but the game was marred by a sickening late injury to Richard Cresswell.

Both sides have now shared 13 draws between them in the First Division so far this season, which while implying something about their reluctance to lose games, does not say much for their ambition.

Graham Alexander's penalty six minutes before the break cancelled out Michael Proctor's 20th-minute effort - and that was that in a game where both sides contrived to squander a series of chances.

But all thoughts at the end turned to the health of Cresswell, who looked to suffer a serious injury when he was shoulder-charged into the advertising hoardings behind the Bradford goal after a challenge with Gus Uhlenbeek.

The incident seemed to leave the striker flat out cold in front of his own fans, and in the resulting melee Ricardo Fuller was red-carded for protesting.

Cresswell meanwhile, who had careered into the hoardings at break-neck speed, was stretchered off after the game had finished.

Moments earlier PNE looked to have stolen all three points right at the death - but Chris Lucketti's flying header was adjudged offside.