Bradford City 2 Peterborough United 0: Kayden Jackson off mark as brilliant Bantams deliver statement

After a tough new year so far, Bradford City needed to make a statement and this was it.

Against a Peterborough side transformed from relegation candidates to play-off contenders under Like Williams, the hosts were assigned with stepping up and duly did.

The sun made a pre-match appearance for the first time in ages and this was a rewind to those warm early-season days for City, who had lost four of their previous six matches, heading into this important contest.

The recalled Bobby Pointon was back to his best - and scored his eighth goal of the campaign, all at Valley Parade, to get City on their way. Others hit the heights too, including Josh Neufville, who set up the hosts' killer second.

Chance after chance arrived in a stirring first half. A maiden strike for Holme Wood lad Kayden Jackson early on the resumption finally gave the Bantams some breathing space - and after being thwarted in the previous home match against Doncaster Rovers, this goal most definitely stood. And what a moment for the Bradfordian in the colours of his hometown club.

A couple of downsides did arrive in the second half, with captain Max Power copping his tenth booking of the season, meaning he will miss the forthcoming games against Stockport County and AFC Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, Ibou Touray came off with an injury early on the resumption.

But it was an afternoon rich in highs otherwise.

City made two changes with Antoni Sarcevic and Pointon coming in for Paul Mullin and Matt Pennington, who dropped to the bench.

Pre-match developments were not ideal for Posh, who dropped down to tenth following results in the early kick-offs. That was compounded by ex-Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town defender Tom Lees being withdrawn from the starting line-up after pulling out with injury in the warm-up.

On his 20th birthday, George Nevett was promoted from the bench.

After a sticky run, the sight of City flying out of the traps in a rewind to their high-octane traits in early season was a welcoming sight - headlined by the recalled Pointon.

For Posh, it was an unnerving start by contrast, with the late cry-off of Lees seeming to spook their backline.

The edginess of ex-City loan keeper Alex Bass, apparently outstanding in Posh's midweek win at Mansfield, didn't auger well for the visitors early on and he soon erred for the opener.

Before that, he got into a pickle in racing out of goal to clear. Kayden Jackson was the beneficiary, but his goalbound effort lacked power and Nevett cleared in front of the unguarded net.

Straightaway, he turned away a well-placed drive from Jenson Metcalfe and the early power-play continued with visiting defender David Okagbue blocking Pointon's goalbound effort.

A rickety moment from Bass then cost Posh.

He flapped at Tyreik Wright's high cross and the ever-alert Pointon gobbled up the rebound for his first goal since mid-December. After that, the Posh custodian was excellent, he had to be.

With Alexander applauding their efforts with a stream of claps from his technical area, City were on song and Posh looked there for the taking, with Pointon posing a lot of problems in particular.

He soon tested Bass with his first-timer after good work from Neufville before a brilliant lob from Sarcevic sailed inches wide - to the relief of the stranded Bass.

Posh's sole effort was a shot from ex-City loan midfielder Brandon Khela which sailed harmlessly wide. The action was in front of the other goal with the next attempt coming from Power, whose half-volley flew off target.

It was turning into an excellent half of football from City. Being greedy, they really needed a second goal to confirm their dominance at least.

A good chance to secure that came and went, with Jackson having a sight of goal, but Bass got his angles wise to hold onto his low shot.

The chances were starting to stack up for City, with Jackson soon beating Nevett down the right before squaring unselfishly to the supporting Power, but his shot lacked pace and was blocked by Carl Johnston.

A warning promptly came at the other end, when Kyrell Lisbie's shot took a touch of Sam Walker and was diverted wide.

The narrative stayed the same in front of the Posh goal for the Bantams, with Metcalfe missing a gilt-edged chance in front of goal following Wright's pass inside, with Peterborough midfielder Archie Collins getting an important touch to get in the way of the home player's effort in a half which saw City muster 18 attempts on goal.

An eventful half ended in controversy when huge Posh appeals for a penalty were rebuffed after Hayes, travelling at pace, tumbled in the box following Baldwin last-ditch challenge.

Referee Sam Allison had a think about it and elected not to award a spot-kick, with Posh midfielder Jimmy-Jay Morgan booked for his protests.

Bradford suffered a blow early on in the second period when Touray went off with an injury issue.

The next development was more timely, with a milestone moment afforded to Jackson, who headed home clinically following Neufville’s centre from the right.

City were producing some champagne stuff, emboldened by Posh's wretched defending.

Only the brilliance of Bass denied the hosts a third, with the keeper tipping Neufville's effort onto the bar after the wing-back had been found adeptly by Power.

City continued to pepper Posh and were relentless. Metcalfe rattled the post with a glorious free-kick before Sarcevic went close.

A sour point on an uplifting afternoon then arrived with Power handed his costly caution.

Ethan Wheatley and Lee Evans eventually entered the fray and the former was soon sent clear and afforded a great chance to get off the mark for City, but Bass made another big save.

City punters in the Kop gave it the oles at one point, such was the hosts’ hegemony.

But Posh weren’t quite finished and only a fine block from Wright denied Pemi Aderoju after Walker parried Johnston’s shot.

The hosts ended the game on the front foot, with the impressive Wright firing a curler just wide of Bass’s goal.

Bradford City: Walker; Baldwin, Tilt, Touray (Pennington 48); Neufville, Metcalfe, Power (Ashby 93), T Wright; Sarcevic (Evans 72), Pointon; Jackson (Wheatley 72). Substitutes unused: Hilton, Humphrys, Mullin.

Peterborough United: Bass; Dornelly, Nevett, Okagbue, Johnston; Collins, Khela (O’Brien-Brady 82); Hayes (Frith 62), Morgan (Mendonca HT), Lisbie; Leonard (Aderoju 62). Substitutes unused: Smith, Andrews, Sykut.

Referee: S Allison (London).

Attendance: 19,389 (1,066 Peterborough supporters)