Aaron Collins rescued a point for Forest Green as his 97th-minute strike denied nine-man Bradford City victory in a helter-skelter 2-2 draw.

In a pilot game for the safe return of supporters, veteran striker Lee Novak touched home just three minutes after the restart when former Bradford City loanee Luke McGhee spilled Elliott Watt’s 25-yard stinger.

Rovers’ captain Carl Winchester levelled things up when his deflected free-kick found the bottom of Richard O’Donnell’s net on 61 minutes.

A minute late Winchester fluffed his lines from the penalty spot after Ebou Adams was felled in the box with Anthony O’Connor red-carded for the Bantams.

Bradford regained the lead on 67 minutes - Watt fizzing in a sumptuous free-kick.

City were reduced to nine men with 20 minutes to go -defender Paudie O’Connor picking up a red for pushing his head towards Adams who fell over the pitch side barriers during the clash.

Mark Cooper’s side pinned Bradford back with Nicky Cadden and Scott Wagstaff going close and Collins salvaged a point- touching home a Wagstaff cross in the final minute of added time.