Bradford 2 Burton 0: Bantams go level with Barnsley in play-off race

Bradford, lacking leading scorer James Hanson through illness and key defender Rory McArdle with a shoulder injury, went in front after 13 minutes with a superb goal from Kyel Reid.

The winger received a pass from Billy Clarke before beating his former Valley Parade team-mate, Burton keeper Jon McLaughlin, with an angled shot that flew into the far corner.

Only some resolute defending prevented Burton from equalising in the 20th minute. Nathan Clarke’s slip allowed Stuart Beavon to cross for Calum Butcher, whose shot was blocked by Reece Burke. The danger wasn’t cleared, however, Ben Williams had to produce a top class save to keep out Mark Duffy’s effort.

Nineteen-year-old Burke, on loan from West Ham, scored Bradford’s second goal in the 28th minute.

Tony McMahon played a short free into Clarke, whose shot was saved by McLaughlin, but the keeper couldn’t hold the ball and Burke hammered it into the net.

Burton made a determined effort to get back in the game in the second half, but Bradford missed the chance of a third goal when McMahon’s underhit penalty was saved by McLaughlin.

Bradford City: Williams, Darby, N Clarke, Burke, Meredith, McMahon, Evans, Cullen, Reid (Marshall 89), Proctor, B Clarke. Unused substitutes: Cracknell, Knott, Morris, Leigh, Routis, Thomas.

Burton Albion: McLaughlin, Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, Mousinho (Flanagan 80), McCory, Akins, Naylor, Weir (Choudhury 54), Duffy, Beavon (Bennett 80), Butcher. Unused substitutes: Bywater, Charles, Reilly, Harness.

Referee: T Kettle (Rutland).