Bradford City 2 Morecambe 0: City rewarded after taking bold approach

Captain Zesh Rehman set them on their way to a morale-boosting victory and midfielder Adam Bolder wrapped up the points with a stoppage-time strike.

Manager Peter Taylor went for a three-man attack with wide men Gavin Grant and Luke Osborne supporting striker Gareth Evans which provided some bright moments as City toiled to breakthrough.

It took a vital challenge from Morecambe full-back Andy Parrish to stop Osborne getting on the end of Grant's cross.

Morecambe striker Phil Jevons, on loan from Huddersfield, hardly had a kick and when

ex-City man Paul Mullin did get the ball in the net for the visitors five minutes before the break his effort was ruled out for offside.

Shortly before Rehman's 69th- minute opener, goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin pressed his claims for a new contract with two excellent saves.

When Robbie Threlfall's free-kick found him unmarked in the six-yard box, centre-half Rehman made no mistake with his close range shot.

City dug in resolutely as he visitors tried to find a way back and finished on a high with Bolder's late strike.

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Bateson, Rehman, Williams, Threlfall; Bolder, Bullock, J O'Brien (Dean 76); Osborne, Evans, Grant. Unused substitutes: Glennon, L O'Brien, Kendall, Sharry, Horne, Cutler.

Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Haining, Artell, Wilson; Duffy, Drummond, Stanley, Hackney (Wainwright 75); Jevons, Mullin. Unused substitutes: Davies, Moss, Bentley, Hunter, Panther, McLachlan.

Referee: Chris Sarginson (Staffordshire).