Ollie Palmer double helps Crawley to much-needed win against Bradford

Posted Sunday, January 12, 2020 by PA

Two first-half goals from striker Ollie Palmer condemned promotion-chasing Bradford to their first defeat in nine games as Crawley deservedly clinched a 2-1 win.

Potent hitman Eoin Doyle was drafted straight in to lead Bradford’s attack to partner James Vaughan after City exercised a recall clause in the Irishman`s season-long loan from Swindon.

Doyle’s opposite number Palmer went close early on by heading onto the crossbar following a corner from Josh Dacres-Cogley.

Palmer struck to give the Reds the lead after 21 minutes getting in between defenders Ben Richards-Everton and Dylan Connolly to fire home his seventh of the season from 12 yards.

Crawley top-scorer Bez Lubala had a low shot saved by goalkeeper Richard O`Donnell before Palmer doubled their lead from close range after being set up by strike partner Ashley Nadesan five minutes before the break.

O`Donnell prevented Palmer from completing his hat-trick shortly after the interval by tipping his fierce shot from the edge of the area over the bar.

Danger man Palmer later shot across the face of the goal as City continued to live dangerously. Substitute Aramide Oteh gave Bradford late hope by bundling in his fifth goal of the season with six minutes remaining.

Bradford pressed for an equaliser in stoppage time but Crawley held on for only their second win in their last 14 league games.