We were desperate to give Salford supporters three points – Lucketti

Salford assistant manager Chris Lucketti was delighted to give his side’s fans something to cheer about again at the Peninsula Stadium after “top-class” Ashley Hunter’s brace downed Bradford.

On-loan Fleetwood forward Hunter scored at the start of either half to take his tally to four goals in the last three games and secure a 2-0 victory.

It earned Graham Alexander’s side their first home win since Boxing Day and kept alive their hopes of a late play-off push.

Lucketti said: “Ash is a top-class player but we know that because we worked with him before. He’s showing that at every opportunity at the moment.

“We’ve been putting teams to bed away but we haven’t been able to make those breakthroughs at home.

“But we controlled the game from start to finish, showed good composure and took the opportunities when they came.

“We’ve been massively frustrated with our results at home. Our performances have been very good but we haven’t been able to turn them into positive results like we have been doing away.

“We were desperate to give our supporters three points and we’ve done just that.”

Hunter opening the scoring after 10 minutes, firing home from 25 yards out.

Tom Elliott went close to doubling the lead with a header which landed on top of the net late in the first half before being forced off with a dislocated shoulder.

But Hunter struck again two minutes after the break as Bradford backed off and allowed him to shoot past goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell from distance.

Lucketti added: “We tweaked the system into a 4-3-3 and wanted to get as many attacking players as we could on the pitch. It paid dividends as you’ve seen.

“But it still comes down to individuals taking opportunities at the right end of the pitch.”

It was a fifth away defeat in a row for Bradford, who have not won away from Valley Parade since October.

Manager Stuart McCall said: “The frustrating thing is the two goals have been scored from something we had been highlighting to the players all week.

“We knew Hunter playing on the left would cut in on his right foot. We had to engage him quickly to stop the shot.

“We discuss it again at half-time and two minutes in, he does it again. That drains the confidence out of you.

“If you can’t do the basics right then you deserve nothing. We were poor in a lot of ways, we couldn’t pass 10 yards and the number of times we kicked the ball out of the park was quite alarming.

“The players have let themselves down and the travelling supporters. With nine games left, there are livelihoods to play for whether you are contracted or not.

“That’s not a threat. But you’re playing for your careers in football.”