City’s under-18s recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since mid-December on Saturday, triumphing in a 1-0 away win at Oldham Athletic.
A sublime second-half strike from Jake Maltby was enough to clinch the points for the young Bantams against an Oldham side with just one prior home loss this season.
In a contest City dominated throughout, they were unlucky not to take the lead after half an hour.
Maltby stole the ball high up the pitch to feed Connor Morris, who in turn found Kian Scales, however the midfielder’s shot failed to trouble the goalkeeper when one-on-one.
But City upped the tempo after the break and - after attacking with more fluidity - took the lead on the hour mark.
Maltby found space on the edge of the area after being teed up by Under-16 Charlie Wood, and the second-year scholar bent an unstoppable effort into the top corner to put the Bantams ahead.
City continued to grow in confidence and could have gone further in front, had substitute Kielen Adams – returning from injury – and Eliot Goldthorp done better from similar positions.
But 1-0 it remained, as City further strengthened their bid for the EFL Youth Alliance North East title.
Mark Trueman’s side remain in fifth place - but are just two points off top spot with a game in hand - ahead of next week’s trip to second-placed Mansfield.
CITY: Alfie Darke; Hayden Smethurst, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Reece Staunton, Jeremie Milambo; Jake Maltby, Eliot Goldthorp (Cole Roberts 85’), Kian Scales (Charlie Wood 46’); Connor Shanks, Connor Morris (Kielen Adams 56’), Dan Francis. Subs (not used): Tom Donaghy (GK), Harvey Rowe.
GOALS: Maltby (60’)
OLDHAM: Ewan MacFarlane; Andrew Hackett, Jack Grundy (Taylor Jones 70’), Harry Norris, Charley Leech; Dec Baldwin, Ryan Pickford (Lewis McKinney 51’), Livesy Mason (Jack William 61’); Ben Hough (Kyle Wych 70’), Max Norman, Ryan Scholes-Beard. Subs (not used): Ellis Allen.
GOALS: None
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jake Maltby