UNDER-PRESSURE Bradford City manager Stuart McCall looked resigned to his fate after his faltering side slipped to a sixth defeat in nine games against promotion-chasing Bury.
The Bantams legend made a point of walking onto the pitch at the final whistle to applaud another five-figure crowd after a host of missed opportunities cost his side.
Two late goals from Gareth Evans had given McCall a reprieve with a win at Torquay but there was no escape this time after Bury striker Andrew Morrell took advantage of their one clear-cut chance.
McCall's side, who have not won at home since mid-October, dominated for long periods.
Striker James Hanson stung the palms of goalkeeper Wayne Brown after two minutes and Michael Flynn was unlucky to see a goal-bound hit a defender's legs.
City were almost caught when Ryan Lowe burst clear but a super tackle from Matthew Clarke stopped him in his tracks.
Bury stepped up the tempo after the interval and went ahead inside seven minutes.
Matt Glennon did well to smother Michael Jones's shot, but the ball fell kindly for the unmarked Morrell to fire in the rebound from 16 yards.
The setback sparked greater urgency among the City players and fans, but their best efforts went unrewarded as a series of openings came and went.
McCall brought on striker Peter Thorne and with his first touch he fired straight at Brown and, with his last, he headed wide from close range.
Bradford City: Glennon, Rehman, Ramsden, Clarke, O'Brien; Evans, Flynn, Bullock (O'Leary 68), Daley (Thorne 64); Hanson, M Boulding. Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Brandon, Williams, Bateson, Neilson.
Bury: Brown, Scott, Futcher, Sodje, Newey; Worrall, Barry-Murphy, Dawson, Jones (Hewson 80); Morrell (Bishop 87), Lowe (Cresswell 93). Unused substitutes: Bedford, Baker, Racchi, Allen.
Referee: R Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
Man of the match: Stephen Dawson.
This season the Yorkshire Post has an exciting new match-day service, called Match Centre. Here you will find minute-by-minute updates, stats and team formations. Plus reports from every game in England, from the Premier League down to the Blue Square Premier.
Simply select your game from the pull down menu, then click on the 'i' information button on the right of the fixture and it will give you access to everything you need to know about your team.
So if you can't make it to a game, head for the Match Centre and we will give you the best seat in the house. Click the link below.For the latest team news, score and commentary from your team check out our new Match Centre » 