Aldershot 1 Bradford City 0: Disappointed Parkinson looking for fresh legs to guide Bradford to safety

It was a defeat that leaves Bradford still only four points clear of second-bottom Hereford, and that is clearly something of major concern for City manager Phil Parkinson.

He said: “It really hurts when your opponents’ only meaningful chance turns into the goal that has won the match.

“Now we face a challenge against Crewe on Tuesday evening. Do we change the team around or not?

“We have to make sure we get a team out for that game that has plenty of sharpness and freshness in the legs.

“We’re too close to the relegation zone and so we need to do something about our predicament very quickly.”

Chris Dagnall – who only signed for the Bantams on loan from Barnsley 24 hours prior to the game – was lively throughout the first half and was twice denied by some brave goalkeeping from Jamie Young.

Just before the interval Shots midfielder Michael Doughty went close when his arrowing drive fizzed inches past the post.

Just before the hour mark Dagnall was again thwarted by Young as his sweetly-struck shot was palmed desperately round the post.

The decisive goal came with 20 minutes to go. Rob Sinclair – signed on loan from Stevenage – was afforded too much space down the Bantams’ left.

His cross was only tipped onto the crossbar by Jon McLaughlin, but there was Risser who was perfectly placed to slam home the rebound from close range.

Bradford are currently 18th in League Two but have a game in hand on the bottom two teams.

Aldershot: Young; Jones, Herd, Morris, Bradley; Straker, Payne (Brown 50), Doughty, Hylton; Risser (Vincenti 85), Madjo (Sinclair 61). Unused substitutes: Smith, Roberts.

Bradford: McLaughlin; Seip, Ramsden, Oliver, Davies; Reid, Flynn, Atkinson (Syers 75), Ravenhill (Smalley 75); Dagnall (Wells 75), Hanson. Unused substitutes: Annerson, Kozluk.

Referee: Stuart Atwell. Man of the match: Chris Dagnall.