Bradford City aim to hit back on trip to Scunthorpe United

The Bantams led 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from debutants Charles Vernam and Ollie Crankshaw either side of Pierce Sweeney’s equaliser.

But Ryan Bowman levelled just after the hour mark before Matt Jay’s match-winning penalty secured victory for the promotion-chasing Grecians with 12 minutes to go.

“We are disappointed with the way in which we conceded the goals,” moaned Trueman, whose side had won five of their previous eight games, conceding just four goals.

“When you are on top in games you have to try and take advantage – and we did not do that. It’s important we learn from our errors, especially heading into Tuesday at Scunthorpe. This is a test for us now and all about how we respond.”

Jokull Andersson could only parry Callum Cooke’s strike into the path of Vernam as he opened his Bantams account in the 17th minute. The hosts restored parity as Sweeney rose to nod home Jack Sparkes’s cross.

Crankshaw pounced on an error to round Andersson and fire in just before half-time.

Vernam and Cooke both went close to adding a third but Bowman headed straight at Sam Hornby before diverting home Robbie Willmott’s cross.

Hornby brought down Bowman and Jay hit home the penalty to wrap up the points.

Exeter City: Andresson, Key (Randall 71), Sweeney, Parkes, Page (Caprice 25), Willmott (Hartridge 85), Taylor, Collins, Sparkes, Bowman, Jay (Seymour 84). Unused substitutes: Atangana, Fisher, Maxted.

Bradford City: Hornby, Cousin-Dawson (Canavan 68), P O’Connor, A O’Connor, Wood, Sutton (Pritchard 69), Watt, Stevens (Donaldson 73), Cooke, Crankshaw (Scales 86), Vernam (Burrell 86). Unused substitutes: Foulds, Huffer.

Referee: B Speedie (England).

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