Bradford claim Highbury spoils

James Hanson and Filipe Morais scored the goals as Bradford claimed a 2-0 Boxing Day win over Fleetwood.

The home side could not make first-half chances count, with Danny Andrew, Stephen Dobbie and Josh Morris all going close before the Bantams landed the three points. A curling shot from full-back Andrew was the closest Fleetwood came, his effort just failing to dip inside the angle. And Jamie Proctor just failed to connect with Dobbie's pull back after a slick one-two between Antoni Sarcevic and Conor McLaughlin down the right as the Cod Army looked certain to make their mark early on. But Andrew's withdrawal through injury six minutes before the break proved decisive. His replacement Stephen Crainey was rusty and done for pace as Mark Yeates raced in to the near post, looping the ball to the back post for Hanson to apply the simplest of headers. But Proctor could have levelled after the break, with his 25-yard blast rocking the woodwork. Bradford boss Phil Parkinson was then lucky to avoid being sent to the stands when he pushed McLaughlin after a sliding touchline challenge. Tempers were simmering and, in the chaos, Bradford doubled their advantage. A pacey break from Jon Stead ripped Fleetwood open down the Bradford left and while his cross was left by Hanson, Morais arrived at the back post to slam the ball past a scrambling Chris Maxwell to seal the points.