McCall's return to his old club has produced a feel-good factor despite their relegation from League One, but the party atmosphere was dampened after only nine minutes when Silkmen striker Francis Green fired the visitors ahead.
The former Sheffield United number two will have been disappointed with the space given to Town full-back Carl Regan and, when he picked out Green on the edge of the City box, he took his time to pick his spot and drill a fierce shot beyond keeper Donovan Ricketts.
City had started at a lively tempo with on-loan striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu showing his pace and power, but their best chances came from the boot of midfielder Paul Evans.
An early free-kick from the Welshman almost caught Town keeper Tommy Lee napping, but the Silkmen stopper was at full stretch to stop another Evans set-piece after 19 minutes.
The Bantams have not won on home soil since December 16 and they faced going in at the break behind until referee Graham Horwood penalised Town full-back Kevin McIntyre for his challenge on Ndumbu-Nsungu.
The official, who was in charge of his first league game, waved away the Town protests and City striker Barry Conlon stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick.
The impressive Lee saved his left-foot shot, but Ndumbu-Nsungu was first to react and side-footed home the rebound from eight yards.
The City scorer was booked for taking off his shirt in celebration, but hopes of a Bradford winner were not realised after the break.
City dominated possession and territory after the interval, but Conlon failed to make the most of several headers and winger Omar Daley was guilty of a bad miss after 63 minutes.
The City pace-man was sent clear by Conlon's neat pass, but with only Lee to beat he went for the early shot from the edge of the box and his effort rebounded off the far post.
Bradford had a scare when Ricketts twisted his ankle making a clearance, but the keeper hobbled on and the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils as the game ended with a rash of bookings late on.