City returned to winning ways as goals from Calum Kavanagh and Bobby Pointon gave them a 2-0 Good Friday victory over Tranmere Rovers at the University of Bradford Stadium.
A fine second-half display from Graham Alexander's men was enough to give them the three points against Nigel Adkins' side.
Both sides started evenly in an open, end-to-end encounter, each trying to gain control of the game and create early chances to lead within the opening stages.
Richie Smallwood came within inches in the 14th minute with his free-kick from a few yards outside the area crashing against the crossbar.
City continued to push forward, and Daniel Oyegoke delivered a great cross into Jamie Walker to shoot, though Tranmere 'keeper Luke McGee reacted well to save with his legs, before Pointon’s rebound was also blocked by Tranmere’s defence.
Adkins' men got close to the first goal as Ciarán Kelly misjudged Harvey Saunders’ backheel but thankfully for the Bantams, Sam Walker was there to safely collect on the goalline.
Following the restart, City started well, creating multiple chances within five minutes after the break.
The Bantams got close again, hitting the woodwork as Pointon’s shot from 25 yards smashed against the near post with no-one to collect the rebound.
Just before the hour mark, the Bantams thought they had the lead as Kavanagh’s shot was saved and fell directly to Tyler Smith who tapped it home, only for celebrations to be cut short by the assistant's offside flag.
Finally, after sustained pressure from City, they took the lead as Richards crossed the ball into Kavanagh to tap home and celebrate his return from international duty with the opening goal.
Just five minutes later, things got even better for the Bantams, as Bobby Pointon netted his first goal in front of The Kop to double their advantage.
Collecting a pass from Kavanagh, Pointon ran through the Tranmere defence to smash the ball past McGee and into the top corner, as the Valley Parade faithful erupted.
The Bantams gained total control as Halliday delivered a cross into Smith who was inches away from making it 3-0, as his effort from point-blank range was stopped on the line.
Alexander's men saw out the result from then on to deliver a welcome three points ahead of their trip to Grimsby Town on Easter Monday.
CITY: Sam Walker, Brad Halliday, Matty Platt, Richie Smallwood (c), Jamie Walker (Clarke Oduor 79’), Calum Kavanagh, Tyler Smith (Harry Chapman 90’), Ciarán Kelly, Dan Oyegoke, Bobby Pointon (Jonathan Tomkinson 79’), Lewis Richards. Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Liam Ridehalgh, Tyreik Wright, Noah Wadsworth.
GOALS: Kavanagh (64'), (69').
TRANMERE: Luke McGee, Lee O’Connor, Tom Davies (C), Kieron Morris (Kristian Dennis 85’), Regan Hendry, Luke Norris, Connor Jennings, Harvey Saunders (Josh Hawkes 76’), Joe Yarney, Dan Pike (Chris Merrie 76’), Rob Apter (Sam Taylor 65’). Subs not used: Joe Murphy, Paul Lewis, Jean Belehouan.
