A late Andy Cook penalty ensured City secured their third victory in five outings - picking up a 2-1 triumph away to Walsall.
Matt Daly’s first goal for the club and Cook’s spot-kick against his former club three minutes from time meant the Bantams left the Banks’s Stadium with all three points.
The hosts had an opportunity to go in front early on when Jack Earing’s low cross found former Bantam George Miller, but he was unable to direct his effort on target.
It was City’s turn to go close on two occasions. First, Liam Ridehalgh’s left-footed strike was denied by Carl Rushworth before the Saddlers goalkeeper went on to keep out Alex Gilliead’s follow-up.
Miller then embarked on a promising run before striking his attempt from just outside the penalty area over the crossbar.
Matthew Taylor’s side almost broke the deadlock with just under half an hour played when skipper Joss Labadie’s strike had to be tipped over the crossbar by debuting goalkeeper Alex Bass.
The Bantams opened the scoring with 37 minutes on the clock when Alex Gilliead worked his way from the right to left-hand side of the penalty area.
Gilliead found Liam Ridehalgh who fed Daly. The Huddersfield Town loanee's effort deflected past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net - as he opened his account in City colours.
The Saddlers nearly drew level just before the interval when Donervon Daniels headed the ball across goal for Conor Wilkinson who was again denied from point-blank range by Man of the Match Bass, ensuring Derek Adams’ remained in front heading into the break.
The hosts did get their equaliser when the ball fell to Zak Mills on the edge of the penalty area and his attempt took a wicked deflection off George Miller and flew beyond a wrong-footed Bass.
The home team then went close to taking the lead when Brendan Kiernan’s cross picked out Wilkinson whose headed attempt went just inches wide of the far post.
City had their first chance of the second period when Daly’s initial effort was blocked before Cook’s attempt ricocheted wide for a corner.
Substitute Matthew Foulds then drove forward before unleashing a left-footed effort just wide of the near post.
Just four minutes from the end, the away side were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the 18-yard box, presenting the Bantams with a golden opportunity to snatch all three points.
Cook stepped up to take it and made no mistake in hammering the ball into the back of the net against his former side, to hand City their third win of 2022 and send the travelling supporters into raptures.
CITY: Alex Bass (GK); Oscar Threlkeld, Paudie O’Connor, Niall Canavan ©️, Liam Ridehalgh (Matthew Foulds 61’); Yann Songo’o (booked 62’), Callum Cooke, Jamie Walker (booked 56’), (Charles Vernam 66’), Alex Gilliead; Matthew Daly (Levi Sutton 81’), Andy Cook. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby (GK), Dion Pereira, Caolan Lavery, Theo Robinson.
GOALS: Matthew Daly (37’), Andy Cook (87' pen).
WALSALL: Carl Rushworth; Hayden White (booked 86’), Donervon Daniels, Tom Leak (Kieran Phillips 90+3’), Zak Mills (booked 87’); Jack Earing, Liam Kinsella (booked 30’), Conor Wilkinson (booked 87’), Joss Labadie ©️ (Emmanuel Osadebe 77’); Brendan Kiernan (Tyrese Shade 84’), George Miller. SUBS (not used): Jack Rose (GK), Alfie Bates, Sam Perry, Shay Willock.
GOALS: George Miller (57’).
REFEREE: Ben Speedie.
ATTENDANCE: 4,097 (424 City supporters).