The Bantams fell to defeat at the Utilita Energy Stadium - losing 1-0 to promotion hopefuls Tranmere Rovers.
An own goal just before the interval from Paudie O’Connor was enough for the visitors to gain victory in West Yorkshire.
The hosts went close in the early stages of the contest when Ollie Crankshaw worked his way into the penalty area, but the City winger curled his attempt wide of the far post.
Rovers almost took the lead when Kieron Morris’ long-range effort went just over the crossbar.
The Bantams then nearly went in front when Connor Wood’s left-footed shot was tipped wide of the post by visiting goalkeeper Joe Murphy.
It was the away side’s turn to nearly go in front when Liam Feeney’s cross was headed wide by Kaiyne Woolery.
Keith Hill’s team broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time in fortuitous circumstances
Danny Lloyd’s cross from the left-hand side took a wicked deflection off Paudie O’Connor which wrong-footed and beat Sam Hornby at his near post.
Wood had another effort from distance with his left foot, but this one flew harmlessly over the top of the goal.
A returning Callum Cooke tried his luck from far out, but he also missed the target.
Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars’ team had another attempt at levelling the scoring but Elliott Watt’s left-footed volley was off target.
Rovers had an opportunity to seal the three points on the counter attack when Woolery ran through on goal but failed to keep his shot down.
There were no further goal-scoring opportunities in the game as the Merseyside-based outfit condemned the Bantams to back-to-back home defeats for the first time in 2021.
CITY: Sam Hornby; Paudie O’Connor ©, Anthony O’Connor, Billy Clarke (Charles Vernam 46’); Gareth Evans (Callum Cooke 62’), Elliott Watt (Clayton Donaldson 90+1’), Levi Sutton, Connor Wood, Finn Cousin Dawson; Andy Cook; Ollie Crankshaw (booked 44’). Subs (not used): Richard O’Donnell (GK), Matty Foulds, Kian Scales, Danny Rowe.
TRANMERE: Joe Murphy; Lee O’Connor, Manny Monthe, Kieron Morris; Jay Spearing, Kaiyne Woolery (booked 19’), Callum Macdonald, Liam Feeney (Liam Ridehalgh 89’), Paul Lewis (booked 45+6’); Peter Clarke ©; Danny Lloyd (booked 45+3’) (Otis Khan 62’). Subs (not used): Ben Jones (GK), Corey Blackett-Taylor, Charlie Jolley, George Ray, David Nugent.
GOALS: Paudie O’Connor (45+1’ OG).
REFEREE: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).