City fell to their first loss of the 2021/2022 Sky Bet League Two campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Leyton Orient.
Second-half strikes from Ruel Sotiriou and Harry Smith proved enough for the O’s to see off Derek Adams’ Bantams at the Breyer Group Stadium.
It was Orient who went closest early on when Tom James’ free-kick deflected just wide for a corner.
The visitors almost edged in front when Callum Cooke’s corner was headed goalwards by Paudie O’Connor, however, it was cleared off the line by Hector Kyprianou.
Moments later, the Bantams had another opportunity to take the lead when Charles Vernam’s positive run ended with his right-footed effort being denied by Orient goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux as the game remained goalless heading into the interval.
The hosts nearly went in front at the beginning of the second period when Theo Archibald’s powerful effort was denied by City keeper Richard O’Donnell.
Kenny Jackett’s men went within inches of breaking the deadlock when Connor Wood’s cross was headed against the crossbar by Smith.
However, shortly after, the O’s did hit the front when Sotiriou lashed his attempt into the back of the net from a tight angle.
Orient then doubled their advantage when Smith ran forward and struck his effort from 25 yards out into the bottom corner of the net to make sure of the three points for his team.
CITY: Richard O’Donnell; Finn Cousin-Dawson (Oliver Crankshaw 63’), Paudie O’Connor (Fiacre Kelleher 84’), Niall Canavan ©, Liam Ridehalgh; Yann Songo’o (booked 87’), Elliot Watt (Caolan Lavery 63’), Callum Cooke (booked 75’), Charles Vernam; Alex Gilliead, Andy Cook. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby (GK), Matthew Foulds, Gareth Evans, Kian Scales.
ORIENT: Lawrence Vigouroux; Tom James (booked 28’), Connor Wood, Dan Happe, Craig Clay; Harry Smith, Theo Archibald, Darren Pratley (C), Omar Beckles; Ruel Sotiriou (Tyrese Omotoye 77’), Hector Kyprianou. SUBS (not used): Rhys Byrne, Dan Kemp, Anthony Papadopoulos, Jayden Sweeney, Shad Ogie, Dan Nkrumah.
GOALS: Ruel Sotiriou (66’), Harry Smith (82’).
REFEREE: Simon Mather
ATTENDANCE: 4,901 (752 visitors).