City fell to defeat at the University of Bradford Stadium this evening, losing 2-0 to Forest Green Rovers.
A goal in the first minute from Christian Doidge saw City get off to a nightmare start, before Doidge wrapped up the points for FGR a minute from the end, from the penalty spot.
It was the worst-possible beginning for the Bantams as they found themselves a goal down within the first 50 seconds. The first corner of the game was headed in by Christian Doidge.
City struggled to create many chances in the first half, the best falling to Tyreik Wright with a clever flick at the near post, but it hit the side netting.
Graham Alexander's side started to pile more pressure on from the beginning of the second half. Substitute Jamie Walker won the ball back high up the pitch before playing through Wright, but his shot was saved by Vicente Reyes.
Then, just after the hour mark, Clarke Oduor showed his craft on the right-hand side to cut onto his left foot and bend an effort goalwards, which was stopped by Reyes.
The away side managed to work the ball well with 15 minutes left on the clock, but Harvey Bunker was ruled to be offside at the pivotal moment, as his effort flew over.
City threw everything at it in the closing stages, substituting both full-backs for attacking options.
Tyler Smith saw an effort go astray as he could not find the target with his near-post header, shortly after Ciarán Kelly had headed onto the roof of the net.
However, it would be Forest Green who had the final say. Kyle McAllister broke and drew a foul inside the area from Kelly. Doidge stepped up from 12 yards and rifled high into the net to wrap up the visitors' victory.
CITY: Sam Walker, Brad Halliday (Harry Chapman 63’), Liam Ridehalgh (Jamie Walker 45’), Richie Smallwood (C), Andy Cook, Alex Gilliead, Clarke Oduor (Calum Kavanagh 63’), Ciarán Kelly, Jonathan Tomkinson, Lewis Richards (Tyler Smith 81’), Tyreik Wright. SUBS NOT USED: Colin Doyle, Daniel Oyegoke, Kevin McDonald.
FGR: Vicente Reyes, Ryan Inniss, Kyle McAllister (Callum Jones 81’), Charlie McCann, Christian Doidge, Jordan Moore-Taylor (C), Dominic Thompson, Jamie Robson, Tyrese Omotoye (Marcel Lavinier 68’), Harvey Bunker, Emmanuel Osadebe. SUBS NOT USED: Jamie Searle, Dom Bernard, Darnell Johnson, Jacob Maddox, Sean Robertson.
GOALS: Doidge (1’, 90+3’).
