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Bristol Rovers 2 Bradford City 1: We let Rovers off the hook, says Parkinson after Kozluk red card
DEFENSIVE howlers once again proved costly for the 10-man Bantams as they slipped to defeat against a Rovers side who secured a first home league win in three months.
David Syers grabbed the Bradford goal with 18 minutes to go, but that was only after two relatively soft goals had handed Mark McGhee’s side a two-goal lead and veteran Rob Kozluk had been sent off for picking up a second yellow card.
Bantams chief Phil Parkinson said: “It was a funny old game really.
“We started the second half well but then went 2-0 down before producing a tremendous response late in the game.
“We did get a goal and in the end created a few other excellent opportunities, but it’s a feeling of frustration for everyone as a couple of mistakes have cost us dearly.
“Even with 10 men I thought we deserved a point. We have definitely ended up letting Bristol off the hook.”
Lee Bullock’s failed clearance allowed Lee Brown time and space to fire Rovers ahead.
Centre-back Andrew Davies was then at fault 10 minutes after the restart when he was dispossessed, allowing Eliott Richards in to make it 2-0.
A late tackle on Richards meant Kozluk saw red in the 65th minute, but the Bantams still rallied and Syers poked home with plenty of time remaining.
The visitors were convinced that they should have been awarded a penalty kick in the dying minutes but referee Chris Sarginson waved away their vociferous appeals after Chris Zebroski’s seemingly clumsy challenge in the area on Kyel Reid.
Bristol Rovers: Poke, Smith, Woodards (McGleish 14), Bolger, Brown, Downes, Stanley, Gill, Dorman, Richards, Zebroski. Unused substitutes: Cronin, Anthony, Swallow, McLaggon.
Bradford City: McLaughlin, Kozluk, Seip, Davies, Ravenhill, Bullock (Taylor 87), Syers, Atkinson (Reid 60), Hanson, Wells (Smalley 60), Fagan. Unused substitutes: Duke, Jones.
Referee: C Sarginson (Staffs).
Man of the match: David Syers.
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