The price tag on Nahki Wells went up by perhaps a few more thousand pounds after the Bermudian striker scored in second-half stoppage time today to earn Bradford City a 1-1 draw at home to Leyton Orient, the Sky Bet League One leaders.

Wells’s fifteenth goal of the season came in the second minute of time added on and kept Phil Parkinson’s side within touching distance of the promotion pace-setters.

Meanwhile, at the Checkatrade.com Stadium, Jonte Smith’s wait to see first-team action this season continued after he was left as an unused substitute in Crawley Town’s 2-2 draw at home to fourth-placed Preston North End.

But it was at the Coral Windows Stadium where most of the attention, particularly that of the many scouts scouring the division for January buys, was focused. Lloyd James scored with virtually the last kick of the first half, a wonderfully curled shot into the top corner, to give Orient a surprise lead. It would prove to be their only shot on target in the match.

Bradford toiled away without any luck until Wells popped up and did what the 14,292 in attendance have become accustomed to — hit the back of the net. Wells was fouled on the edge of the area and made Orient pay in spades by getting to his feet and curling his free kick up and over the wall for a stunning leveller. The point moved Bradford up a place to seventh, even if the gap to the promotion play-off places increased to four, owing to Rotherham United’s 2-1 win away to Bristol City.

Wells has been the subject of furious transfer debate for much of the past six weeks, with Queens Park Rangers, the Championship leaders, seemingly keen on securing his services. His form in front of goal has been lauded by manager Parkinson and the club can expect an anxious few weeks before the January transfer window opens.

Farther south in West Sussex, what was meant to be a perfect welcome for John Gregory, the new Crawley manager, almost became a nightmare when they trailed 2-0 within 16 minutes — it was not what the 2,407 faithful had come to see. The former Aston Villa manager reacted forcefully, by withdrawing James Hurt, the full back, and inserting in his place Adam Drury, an attacking midfielder.

The response, if not immediate, was that Crawley would stop the bleeding long enough to become a potent force at the other end of the pitch, where they have struggled mightily for the past three months. Joe Walsh provided hope with a goal in the 66th minute and, after the same player had hit a post, to much frustration, Gary Alexander, who was joint-caretaker manager when Richie Barker got the sack last month, popped up in the first minute of stoppage time to seal a valuable point that moves Crawley up one spot to fourteenth, five points clear of the relegation places. It was the first time they have scored two goals in the league since 3-2 win at home to Gillingham on September 7.

Smith, 19, who was recalled from a loan spell with Havant & Waterlooville only days before Barker left Crawley, has not featured in the five matches that he has been included in the matchday squad.