Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars' Bantams returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing Morecambe - at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
City battled back from behind to ensure they moved up to 16th in the Sky Bet League Two table - thanks to goals from Anthony O'Connor and Charles Vernam.
The Bantams came within inches of taking the lead after four minutes when Connor Wood broke down the left side of the pitch, before cutting in to play a low ball to Vernam - who placed his effort just wide of the post.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the ninth minute as John O’Sullivan received the ball on the right side of the pitch.
The Morecambe midfielder looked to cross into the penalty area, but it looped over Sam Hornby and into the back of the net.
City had a chance to level in the 19th minute when Gareth Evans played to Vernam in the final third. The 24-year-old cut back before putting his shot past Kyle Letheren’s upright.
Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars’ side equalised just ahead of the half-hour mark as Levi Sutton played the ball to Anthony O’Connor who took aim from just inside the penalty area.
The City defender, on his 100th start in claret and amber, had his goalbound shot deflected in by Kelvin Mellor.
The hosts continued pressing after the restart and almost took the lead for the first time in the 53rd minute.
A neat passing interchange between Sutton and Callum Cooke earned City’s No.8 some space to shoot, but his effort flew wide of the post.
Morecambe then had a penalty appeal waved away as O’Sullivan played through Mendes Gomes who beared down on goal. Anthony O’Connor tackled strongly and the ball ricocheted goalwards, before Niall Canavan cleared off the goalline.
The Bantams went ahead for the first time in the 63rd minute, as substitute Danny Rowe played the ball out to Vernam on the right.
The home debutant came inside before curling a cross into the box which hit the far post and went in - to make it two goals in as many matches.
The hosts were encouraged by their second goal and looked to go even further in front as Cooke played Rowe in down the left side of the pitch.
The City substitute weaved away from his defender before floating a ball towards the back post, only for Vernam to head over.
Rowe and Vernam linked up again as the City winger played Rowe down the right side of the pitch.
The 32-year old striker fizzed the ball across the face of the goal to Ollie Crankshaw who failed to touch it in - thought that could not deny all three points staying in West Yorkshire.
CITY: Sam Hornby; Connor Wood, Niall Canavan, Paudie O’Connor ©, Anthony O’Connor; Elliot Watt, Levi Sutton; Gareth Evans (Ollie Crankshaw 83’), Callum Cooke, Charles Vernam (Jordan Stevens 87’); Andy Cook (Danny Rowe 62’). Subs (not used): Richard O’Donnell, Harry Pritchard, Clayton Donaldson, Finn Cousin-Dawson.
GOALS: Anthony O’Connor (28’), Charles Vernam (63’).
MORECAMBE: Kyle Letheren; Kelvin Mellor (Ryan Cooney 74’), Nathaniel Knight-Percvial, Sam Levelle ©, Liam Gibson (Stephen Hendrie 74’); Yann Songo’o (Jordan Slew 82’), Toumani Diagouraga, Aaron Wildig (Brad Lyons 74’), John O’Sullivan (Liam McAlinden 78’); Cole Stockton, Carlos Mendes Gomes. Subs (not used): Mark Halstead, Alex Denny.
GOALS: John O’Sullivan (9’).
REFEREE: Alan Young (Cambridgeshire).