Bradford City fail to make most of ‘key moments’

He said: “We had lost two in a row so it was important we didn’t do that again for mentality going into the next two games. Winning is a habit, but so is losing. It was important we didn’t get beaten.

“We looked more like ourselves defensively. But you don’t get many chances when you set up the way we did and you have to make them count.

“I talk about key moments within games and with that bit of quality or better decision making with the pass and you go and win 1-0.”

Oldham were the more threatening side in the first half and Bradford keeper Richard O’Donnell, back in the team in place of Sam Hornby, did well to block a fierce shot from leading scorer Conor McAleny in the 24th minute. He made further saves from McAleny and Davis Keillor-Dunn before half-time and twice from substitute Dylan Bahamboula in the second half.

Bradford created fewer chances, but Laurie Walker was tested with a rasping shot from former Oldham striker Danny Rowe. He also did well to keep out an angled shot from Charles Vernam before Gareth Evans flashed his shot past the far post.

Trueman said: “Evo’s chance goes in and we win the game 1-0 and nobody says anything. We are disappointed, but psychologically it was more important we didn’t lose. It is as simple as that.”

Bradford City: O’Donnell, A O’Connor, P O’Connor. Canavan. Wood, Watt, Sutton, Crankshaw, Vernam (Scales 81), Evans, Rowe (Cook 72). Unused substitutes: Hornby, Donaldson, Stevens, Foulds, Cousin-Dawson.

Oldham Athletic: Walker, Jameson. Piergianni, Clarke, Adams (Badan 72), McCalmont, Whelan, Fage, Hilssner (Bahamboula 59), McAleny, Keillor-Dunn. Unused substitutes: Grant, Ntambwe, Diarra, Da Silva, Bilboe.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne and Wear).

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