Bradford City 2 Doncaster Rovers 1: Bantams must prepare to deal with new pressures

They moved into the play-off places by completing the double over a Doncaster Rovers side who face pressure at the other end of the table with captain Andy Butler believing the 50-point survival target set by manager Darren Ferguson is achievable.

Two headed goals from Clarke’s striker partner, Jamie Proctor, gave Bradford victory over Rovers, whose first away goal in 482 minutes at least gave them some hope of beating the drop as their winless run stretched to 11 matches.

Nathan Tyson, the last player to score on the road for Doncaster, wriggled through in the 90th minute to poke the ball home and make it a nervy stoppage time for City, who had dominated and who moved back into the top six for the first time since November.

Rovers had conceded first in 10 of their last 11 games and it was the same old story as Proctor, retaining his place in spite of James Hanson recovering from illness, spread the ball to Clarke before racing into position to head home the ensuing cross in the seventh minute.

Proctor put City in the comfort zone five minutes after the break, glancing a cross from James Meredith in off the far post.

With City largely dominating through central midfield man Lee Evans, Tyson’s goal was the first attempt on target by Rovers, though former City target Andy Williams woke from his lethargy and went close on three occasions, including in stoppage time when his goalbound shot was deflected for a corner.

Clarke, a waspish partner to Proctor as manager Phil Parkinson named an unchanged side from the one that had beaten leaders Burton in midweek, was delighted with the victory, but warned: “We’ve got a bit more to lose now. We’ll go into games not wanting to drop out of the top six as opposed to chasing it.

“We can’t afford to drop our intensity or performances, starting at second-placed Wigan on Saturday, which will be a really tough game.”

City have claimed seven points from their last three games and Clarke continued: “It was important that we followed it on from Tuesday. There was a lot of expectation from everyone.

“We saw what happened against Colchester (a midweek defeat to the bottom club) and had to learn quickly, especially at this stage of the season. I thought we did that brilliantly.

“We couldn’t afford to waste the opportunity. You learn from defeats and I think we did that after Colchester.

“It’s the business end of the season and it was key that we won. Thankfully, we did.

“Kicks up the backside don’t do any harm. Any drop in form, even a five per cent drop in your play, and you’ll be punished.”

Of his strike partner, Clarke enthused: “Jamie has been unbelievable in the last two games.

“It’s been difficult for him recently because he’s been out of the team and out of the squad, but he’s come in and been fantastic.

“We know we’ve got to play our best because there are three other strikers not in the team. I think that’s what we’ve done.”

While City have a surfeit up front, Rovers have a dearth of quality finishers and manager Ferguson says they will need 13 points from the final 10 matches to stay up.

Central defender Butler, handed the captain’s armband on his recall, is confident they can do it ahead of three important games against fellow strugglers Peterborough, Colchester and Blackpool.

“We have to look at every single game as a winnable game and we will do,” he maintained. “Every game is important. We know our target and we will work to achieve it. We are working hard, pulling in the same direction, but we need to stop conceding early goals. Our situation is not enjoyable. The players, staff and the whole club know we have to be a lot better and we will strive to be. We haved a week now to put it right.

“The belief came back when we scored and it made the last few minutes really interesting. Let’s hope we can carry it on to next Saturday.”

Of the captaincy, he added: “I have had it before, but it’s about the whole 11 people out there and the whole bench and squad.

“It’s not about one captain. It’s about everyone taking their fair share of responsibility and doing what we need to do.”

Ferguson also put on a brave face, but admitted: “There’s been a lot said about we’re not going to go into League Two, but with the run we’re on there is only one way we are going.

“But I do firmly believe that with the games we have got left we will get enough points. I really do. It’s about having the character to get those points.

“You hold on to the positives. We have 10 games to go and I think we have some real winnable games left, some real six-pointers.

“It’s the worst run I’ve had as a manager or a player, but we have to find a way of winning a game.

“Frustration, anger, disappointment and all the rest of it is what I’m feeling. The players talk a good game, but need to deliver on the pitch.”

Bradford City: Williams, Darby, N Clarke, Burke, Meredith; McMahon, Evans, Cullen, Reid; B Clarke (Thomas 82), Proctor (Hanson 72). Unused substitutes: Cracknell, Marshall, Knott, Leigh, Routis.

Doncaster Rovers: Stuckmann, Evina, Butler, McCullogh, Taylor-Sinclair; Grant (Middleton 30); Chaplow (Stewart 55), Calder (MacKenzie 90); Gooch; Tyson, Williams. Unused substitutes: Jones, Mandeville, Keegan, Davies.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Preston).