Bradford keep moving up as they see off Scunthorpe

Posted Sunday, December 23, 2018 by PA

Bradford’s revival continued as they moved out of the bottom four with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Scunthorpe.

The result heaped more misery on the 10-man Iron, managed by popular former Bradford player and manager Stuart McCall, who received a standing ovation from the home support.

Scunthorpe, who have now lost six league and cup matches in a row, slip into the relegation zone on goal difference, while Bradford have lost just one of their last six games.

To compound Scunthorpe’s woes, they had half-time substitute Cameron Burgess sent off in the 66th minute for a rash tackle on Lewis O’Brien.

After a bright start by the visitors, Bradford went in front in the 10th minute through man-of-the-match Jack Payne.

Eoin Doyle won the ball off Charlie Goode 30 yards from goal and raced forward before supplying a through pass for Payne to score with a low left-foot shot into the far corner.

Bradford went further ahead in the 27th minute after George Miller was fouled by goalkeeper Jak Alnwick in the box. Payne had carried on and put the ball in the net but referee Carl Boyeson pulled play back to give a penalty for Alnwick’s foul and Doyle scored from the spot.

The Bantams went close to increasing their lead before half-time when Doyle saw his close-range shot deflected onto the crossbar by Alnwick, who then saved a shot and a header from Miller.

Bradford dominated the second half and only desperate saves from Alnwick prevented David Ball and Payne from adding to their lead, while late substitute Kai Brunker had an effort cleared off the line.

Scunthorpe’s best effort came in the 79th minute when Richard O’Donnell did well to stop Funso Ojo’s shot with his legs.