Bradford AFC 4 - 0 Walsall: James Hanson hits hat-trick as Bradford crush Walsall

James Hanson scored a 16-minute hat-trick as Bradford City strengthened their Sky Bet League One play-off challenge with a 4-0 win over top-six rivals Walsall.

The result leaves Bradford four points clear in fifth place, one point behind Walsall in fourth.

Hanson, making his first start in 10 matches, scored in the 58th, 71st and 74th minutes after Portuguese midfield player Filipe Morais had given Bradford the lead after 53 minutes.

It was Morais' first start since recovering from a pre-season knee injury.

After dominating the first half, Bradford deservedly went in front eight minutes after the interval when Tony McMahon's ball into the box caused problems in the visitors' penalty area.

The ball was headed across the face of the goal by defenders Rory McArdle and Reece Burke before Hanson sent a looping header towards goal and Morais turned the ball into the net.

Hanson scored the first of his three goals after latching on to Stephen Darby's long ball and bustling past Paul Downing to fire into the net.

His second was a header from McMahon's free-kick and he completed his hat-trick with a close-range header from Morais' left-wing cross.