Bradford AFC 1 : 0 Crawley Town - Zoko strike sees off Crawley

Francois Zoko scored his first Bradford goal as City boosted their Sky Bet League One play-off hopes with a 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Crawley.

Town went into the contest buoyed by a haul of seven points from their previous three games but they were left with an uphill struggle after goalkeeper Lewis Price gifted Zoko a ninth-minute opener.

The Ivorian striker had waited patiently for his first start, having made all of his 14 appearances for the Bantams from the bench, and he made sure he grasped his opportunity, aided by Price.

Mark Yeates sent a hanging cross into the box which the Reds keeper completely misjudged, allowing Zoko to nod the ball into an unguarded net.

Bradford dominated possession in the first period but the visitors had the best chance, with Lee Fowler forcing Jordan Pickford into a smart save from a free-kick.

Zoko had a goalbound shot blocked by Darren Ward before Izale McLeod saw a strike deflected just wide at the other end amid Crawley's best spell of the game.

McLeod then glanced a header wide with seven minutes remaining but the Reds did not come any closer as Bradford warmed up for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Reading by claiming their first league win in four.