Simon Grayson celebrated his first win as Bradford boss to end their miserable recent form with a 1-0 victory against Gillingham.
The hosts came into the game having picked up just two points from a possible 30 but Dominic Poleon's fine strike after 48 minutes proved to be the difference.
Gillingham started strongly, with Conor Wilkinson going close before defender Callum Reilly tried his luck from 25 yards, his effort flying narrowly over the crossbar.
Alex Gilliead saw his cross cleared off the line by Max Ehmer in a rare Bradford attack while Tony McMahon saw his 25-yard free-kick drift just wide on 29 minutes.
The impressive Wilkinson headed straight at Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Colin Doyle before Scott Wagstaff fired just over on two occasions as the visitors looked most likely to break the deadlock.
However, Bradford were ahead just three minutes after the restart when a neat passing move found Poleon free on the edge of the area to fire into the bottom left corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Poleon missed a glorious chance to double his tally when he failed to make contact when he was free in the Gillingham area on 74 minutes, while substitute Kai Bruenker could only shoot at away goalkeeper Tomas Holy.
Tom Eaves stung the hands of Doyle at the other end and Wilkinson somehow headed over from six yards, while late efforts from Connor Ogilvie and Liam Nash failed to hit the target as Bradford held on.
English League One Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Peterborough United | 31 | +25 | 62 |
2 | Hull City | 33 | +26 | 59 |
3 | Lincoln City | 31 | +17 | 57 |
4 | Sunderland | 31 | +21 | 54 |
5 | Portsmouth | 31 | +18 | 52 |
6 | Doncaster Rovers | 29 | +12 | 52 |
7 | Ipswich Town | 30 | +6 | 50 |
8 | Accrington Stanley | 30 | +8 | 47 |
9 | Charlton Athletic | 32 | +2 | 47 |
10 | Oxford United | 30 | +8 | 46 |
11 | Crewe Alexandra | 32 | +2 | 45 |
12 | Plymouth Argyle | 32 | -8 | 45 |
13 | Blackpool | 28 | +7 | 44 |
14 | Gillingham | 32 | -2 | 44 |
15 | Milton Keynes Dons | 32 | +3 | 42 |
16 | Fleetwood Town | 32 | +6 | 40 |
17 | Shrewsbury Town | 29 | -1 | 38 |
18 | Burton Albion | 30 | -18 | 31 |
19 | Swindon Town | 32 | -20 | 31 |
20 | Bristol Rovers | 31 | -20 | 30 |
21 | AFC Wimbledon | 30 | -23 | 29 |
22 | Northampton Town | 32 | -23 | 29 |
23 | Rochdale | 32 | -18 | 28 |
24 | Wigan Athletic | 32 | -28 | 27 |
League One News
Australian-based consortium 'interested in purchasing' Wigan Athletic
A consortium of Australian investors is poised to make a bid to buy crisis-hit former Premier League club Wigan Athletic.
Referee Darren Drysdale charged by FA after squaring up to player
Referee Darren Drysdale has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after confronting an Ipswich Town player.
Chelsea's Hayes on men's coaching role: I'm not looking for another job
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has said she is not looking for another job after reports she is on the shortlist for the manager role at Wimbledon.
Swindon midfielder hits incredible 30-yard screamer
Scott Twine scores with an outstanding hit from outside of the box for Swindon vs. Ipswich.
Lincoln City's comical own goal vs. Peterborough
Timothy Eyoma was the unlucky culprit in this own goal for Lincoln City vs. Peterborough United.
Accrington Stanley beat Charlton in League One
Colby Bishop shines in Accrington Stanley's 2-0 win against Charlton Athletic in English League One.