The Bantams suffered defeat at Crewe Alexandra this Saturday, as the Railwaymen came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at The Alexandra Stadium.
City skipper James Vaughan gave Gary Bowyer's team the lead just after the half hour mark, but goals from Charlie Kirk and Tom Lowery later on saw the hosts fight back to secure the win.
The first period begun with bright spells for both sides, but Crewe had the better openings in the early stages.
Paul Green and Kirk enjoyed scoring opportunities for Alex, but it was Vaughan who had the ball in the net for the Bantams midway through the half.
Vaughan latched onto a loose back-pass from Eddie Nolan to slot past shot-stopper Will Jaaskelainen, but former Crewe striker Clayton Donaldson was flagged offside in the build-up.
Crewe responded to that close shave by threatening again through Kirk minutes later; the home attacker firing narrowly wide of the far post after getting in behind City's defence.
The Bantams went in front when Jamie Devitt, who was handed his first start since his loan move from Blackpool, saw a drive from outside the box tipped onto the bar by Jaaskelainen.
With the ball bouncing free and Jaaskelainen grounded by the shot, Vaughan swooped to head home the rebound from close range.
Ben Richards-Everton was required to head clear off the line following a lofted shot from Kirk soon after, but the Crewe forward wouldn't be denied for long.
Kirk got himself on the scoresheet three minutes before the break when Ryan Wintle's forward pass played him in on goal and the number ten slotted in past Richard O'Donnell.
Crewe roared out of the blocks after the interval, putting City under some pressure.
Kirk's deflected drive was tipped over by an alert O'Donnell, while Green fired narrowly wide from inside the box minutes later.
The home side took the lead on the hour mark when Lowery fired into the corner with a fine strike from the edge of the box.
The Bantams tried to get back into the contest as the half progressed, and Donaldson glanced a header inches wide of the far post from debutant Harry Pritchard's wide free-kick delivery.
Pritchard himself then went close to levelling for Bowyer's side ten minutes from the end. Kelvin Mellor's fizzing cross from the right found Pritchard lurking at the far post but the new winger headed over.
The Bantams had one final opening in injury time when Jaaskelainen failed to reach a Callum Cooke cross into the box, but Paudie O'Connor behind him headed over.
CREWE: Will Jaaskelainen; Perry Ng (c), Harry Pickering, Olly Lancashire, Eddie Nolan; Ryan Wintle, Paul Green, Tom Lowery; Daniel Powell (Owen Dale 69') Charlie Kirk, Chris Porter (Chuma Anene 83') Subs not used: Dave Richards (GK), James Jones, Callum Ainley, Oliver Finney, Nicky Hunt
GOALS: Kirk (42'), Lowery (60')
CAUTIONS: Pickering (7), Lowery (74'), Ng (77'), Dale (90+5')
CITY: Richard O'Donnell; Paudie O'Connor, Anthony O'Connor, Ben Richards-Everton; Connor Wood (Callum Cooke 62'), Matthew Palmer (Harry Pritchard 62'), Hope Akpan, Jamie Devitt (Jordan Gibson 81') Kelvin Mellor; James Vaughan (c), Clayton Donaldson Subs not used: Sam Hornby (GK), Jermaine Anderson, Omari Patrick, Daniel Devine
GOALS: Vaughan (32')
CAUTIONS: None
Attendance: 4,459 (1,279 visiting supporters)
Referee: Darren Handley