Bradford's hopes of ending their league slump against fellow strugglers Bournemouth were undermined by the early sending off of leading scorer Dean Windass.
The experienced frontman was shown a straight red by referee David Foster for his reckless lunge at Cherries defender Neil Young after just 13 minutes and without their target man the Bantams lost direction against Kevin Bond's side.
Bond included loan signings Matthew Connolly and Simon Gillett in a bid to secure a first league win since early September and Southampton midfielder Gillett almost broke the deadlock when his eight-yard header rebounded off a post ten minutes before the interval.
City, who have only picked up one point from their last six league games, started brightly and Cherries keeper Neil Moss did well to block at the feet pf David Graham early on.
But the momentum swung in Bournemouth's favour when Windass needlessly raised his foot as Young slid the ball out for a corner and it was no surprise when Mr Foster brandished the red card.
Bournemouth's 3-5-2 formation was able to take a grip on the game and it took a smart save from Donovan Ricketts to keep out a Stephen Purches drive on the half hour.
City rode their luck when another Purches cross picked out Gillett and his header struck the post Ricketts stranded.
But the Cherries failed to press home their man advantage after the break and despite having plenty of possession Ricketts was rarely tested.
The Jamaica international proved his worth however with two top-class saves to keep his side's hopes of snatching a winner alive.
On-loan Chelsea teenager Jack Cork impressed in the Cherries midfield and it took a superb fingertip save from Ricketts to keep out his goalbound 30-yard strike.
A couple of long-range strikes from the lively Jermaine Johnson was all that an under-strength City could muster, but another super stop from Ricketts three minutes from time at least earned them a backs-to-the-wall point.
Cherries midfielder Danny Hollands looked odds on to score when Steve Fletcher's nod down found him unmarked in front of the City goal, but his left-foot strike from ten yards was grabbed by Ricketts to ensure the the Bantams' long wait for a win goes on.