Mark Hughes’ Bantams left South London with three points, as a scintillating performance saw them beat promotion-chasing Sutton United 4-1.
A Charles Vernam brace was complimented by goals from Yann Songo’o and Andy Cook as the Bantams ended the current longest unbeaten home run in the country.
A dazzling opening five minutes saw both sides come close to opening the scoring.
Will Randall’s effort ricocheted off the post as the U’s looked to strike early, only for City to test Dean Bouzanis at the other end, with Liam Ridehalgh and Vernam both going close.
It was Vernam who broke the deadlock just 16 minutes in, converting Luke Hendrie’s delicate cross with his head to give City the lead off the post.
Dion Pereira showed his skill to find Jamie Walker on the edge of the area, but the Scot’s effort landed aloft Bouzanis’ goal and the Bantams had to settle for a one-goal advantage at the break.
The hosts came out swinging in the second half and were rewarded for their persistence just shy of the hour mark, when Alistair Smith lashed home an equaliser on the half-volley.
A feisty period saw three players booked in a matter of minutes, and it was the Bantams that took advantage of the high emotion.
Vernam got his brace by sweeping home Liam Ridehalgh's cross to restore City’s lead and send the 460 travelling supporters into raptures.
Substitute Cook thought he had put the visitors out of sight, only to be proved wrong by the assistant's flag.
Songo’o however was perfectly onside to slot home in front of a raucous away end and give City a two-goal cushion with five minutes to go.
Vernam raced through in the latter stages, hoping to notch his second career hat-trick, but he too was denied by the ‘keeper.
City’s No.15 did find the back of the net for a third time, only to be denied by the offside flag.
The Bantams were not to be kept out, however, and put further gloss on the result in the seventh minute of injury time, having come close on several occasions prior.
Cook made it four by hammering home into the top corner having shifted the ball onto his left foot, and with no sign of the flag, he secured the three points for the Bantams.
SUTTON: Dean Bouzanis; Jon Barden, Ben Goodlife, Louis John, David Adjiboye; Harry Beautyman ©, Will Randall, Rob Milsom, Donovon Wilson; Richie Bennett (Omar Bugiel 45+1’, booked 45+3’), Alistair Smith. SUBS (not used): Ben Wyatt, Coby Rowe, Kenny Davis, Stuart Nelson, Isaac Olaofe, Enzio Boldewijn.
GOALS: Alistair Smith (55’).
CITY: Alex Bass; Liam Ridehalgh, Paudie O’Connor, Yann Songo’o (booked 54’), Jamie Walker; Alex Gilliead, Charles Vernam, Elliot Watt, Lee Angol (booked 52’); Luke Hendrie, Dion Pereira. SUBS (not used): Richard O’Donnell, Callum Cooke, Andy Cook, Matty Foulds, Fiacre Kelleher, Gareth Evans, Levi Sutton.
GOALS: Charles Vernam (16’, 77’), Yann Songo’o (85’), Andy Cook (90+7’).
REFEREE: Declan Bourne
ATTENDANCE: 4,010 (460 travelling City supporters).