Derek Adams hails Plymouth’s character as they hit back to draw

Derek Adams felt Plymouth showed “tremendous character” to draw 3-3 with League One’s basement side Bradford after trailing three times.

Argyle’s top scorer Freddie Ladapo scored twice and set up Joel Grant’s 50th-minute goal which made it 2-2.

Bradford’s George Miller restored Bradford’s lead just three minutes after Grant’s goal after Jack Payne’s two early strikes had put the Bantams 1-0 and 2-1 up.

Ladapo’s 74th-minute scrambled effort was his 12th of the season.

Adams said: “We gave ourselves a huge task to go behind three times, but as a team we showed tremendous character once again.

“It was an exciting game for League One football. Attacking-wise we were unbelievable at times – the amount of chances we create, we can open up teams.

“We’ve taken three but we’ve had a lot more opportunities to take.

“We gave them some really good opportunities. Teams don’t play through us and we’ve given away some ridiculous goals.

“We conceded other opportunities to them when we had the ball, not when they had the ball, and that is really hurting us at this moment in time.

“Going forward we are a top team. Through the middle we were poor and we gave them three goals.

“We are a team and a set of individuals that keep on going. They have got belief they can get back into games.

“To come back three times in a big game for us shows the mentality of the squad and that will keep us moving forward. We have closed the gap to 16th position, we are looking upwards.”

Bradford counterpart David Hopkin said: “I’m disappointed because if you come to a stadium like this against a team like this it’s difficult and so to score three goals you should really be taking home the points.

“I’m also disappointed because we told the players all about their top scorer, Ladapo, and said we had to watch him and he’s ended up with two goals and involved in another.

“Defensively I thought we were very poor.

“On the other side of the coin, attacking-wise I was delighted.

“We got the three goals and we created a lot of chances.

“Of course it’s frustrating because you come to a difficult venue like this when you are bottom of the league and score three goals, you expect to win the game.

“We didn’t defend properly, we switched off at some set plays and it’s the second phase again that has cost us three points.

“We’ve got Peterborough at home in the FA Cup on Tuesday and then two important league matches – against Walsall and Scunthorpe – so a run of three at home.

“It will be good to get back to Valley Parade.”