BLACKBURN Rovers played out a goalless draw at Bradford City in a pre-season friendly this afternoon.

The match was played in sweltering conditions at Valley Parade, with each half stopped briefly for a drinks break, and neither side could break the deadlock.

Rovers lost Rudy Gestede to illness shortly before kick-off, while Chris Brown missed out again through injury.

Jordan Rhodes, Tom Cairney and Craig Conway were rested. The opening period produced few clear cut chances with Alex Baptiste denied by the defence and keeper Jordan Pickford after surging forward from right back, while Chris Taylor had a deflected shot saved.

Rovers brought on Adam Henley at half time for Tommy Spurr, who was making his return from a groin injury.

League One Bradford might have taken the lead early in the second half though when Alan Sheehan put a free header just wide from Billy Clarke’s right wing cross.

Paul Robinson was then called upon to tip Mark Yeates’ powerful 20-yard effort over the bar, before the keeper also had to parry a low drive from Sheehan.

Rovers made a host of changes for the final 20 minutes, handing a trial appearance to former Portsmouth keeper Jamie Ashdown.

But neither team could find a goal, with Luke Varney firing a shot wide.

Rovers: Paul Robinson (Jamie Ashdown 72); Alex Baptiste (Darragh Lenihan 72), Grant Hanley (Yann Songo’o 72), Matt Kilgallon (Jack O’Connell 72), Tommy Spurr (Adam Henley 46); Chris Taylor (Connor Mahoney 72), Jason Lowe (John O’Sullivan 72), Lee Williamson (Hyuga Tanner 72), Corry Evans (Dean Rittenberg 72), Ben Marshall (Luke Varney 63); Josh King (David Dunn 72).

Bradford: Jordan Pickford (Matt Urwin 46); Stephen Darby, Rory McArdle, Andrew Davies (Christopher Routis 78), Alan Sheehan (Niall Heaton 88); Raffaele De Vita (Mark Yeates 44), Gary Liddle (James Meredith 72), Billy Knott (Jason Kennedy 59), Matthew Dolan (Mo Shariff 84); James Hanson (Lewis Clarkson 68), Billy Clarke (Oliver McBurnie 68). Subs not used: Achille Campion, Reggie Lambe.

Referee: Andy Haines.