Bradford C 2 Rotherham 1: Controversial strike helps Jackson celebrate return

Not only did his Bradford City side claim all three points from a pulsating Yorkshire derby against promotion hopefuls, albeit in hugely controversial circumstances as Tom Adeyemi’s 25-yard strike was adjudged to have bounced down over the line off the underside of the crossbar.

But, perhaps more importantly in terms of Bradford’s prospects for the rest of the season, the manner of the home side’s display offered huge grounds for optimism.

Certainly, if the Bantams can repeat this level of performance then it will not be long before the doomsday scenario of relegation from the Football League has been banished for good.

Losing was undeniably harsh on Rotherham, who were still apoplectic with rage at the final whistle over the decision by the linesman to award the winner.

It was easy to feel sympathy for a visibly-stunned Ronnie Moore as he followed referee Grant Hegley and his officials down the tunnel as Adeyemi’s strike clearly looked to have bounced in front of the line and not behind.

But, for Jackson, all that will matter this morning is that his reign as Bradford’s interim manager is up and running.

The game had been preceded by a moving tribute to former Bradford defender Dean Richards, who died two weekends ago at the age of 36.

With his widow Samantha and son Rio being flanked by Jackson and joint chairman Mark Lawn, the 10,910 crowd paid homage to Bradford-born Richards with a minute’s applause.

Then, after being presented with a Bantams and Millers shirt by respective captains Michael Flynn and Nick Fenton, Rio led the home players in the customary handshake with the opposing team.

Once play got underway, Rotherham, who were without 21-goal top scorer Adam Le Fondre, had an early strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Steve Williams seemed to trip Liam Henderson.

That apart, however, it was the home side who seized the initiative in the opening stages.

The passion Jackson had called for from his new charges was clearly in evidence as Michael Flynn had to be spoken to by referee Grant Hegley for a robust tackle and Jon Worthington clashed with Jason Taylor after another full-blooded challenge.

There was no little quality, either, as illustrated by the opening goal on 16 minutes.

As Bradford played keep-ball on the right flank, there appeared little on but a hopeful cross into the area.

Instead, what Lewis Hunt and Scott Dobie opted for was a slick one-two that carved open the Millers defence and allowed the right-back to race on to beat Andy Warrington.

Going ahead was deserved reward for City having started the quicker of the two sides, both Steve Williams and James Hanson having headed decent chances over before Hunt netted his first goal since November, 2008 – ironically against Bradford when wearing the colours of Wycombe Wanderers.

After taking the lead, City continued to threaten the Millers’ defence as Jake Speight wasted a good opening by mis-controlling the ball six yards out and Gareth Evans headed over from a similar distance.

It all added up to a promising opening half-hour but, this being a Bradford side who have displayed an unerring knack of making a hash of things, there was a nagging fear that a mistake lay just around the corner.

So it proved, as, on 38 minutes, Williams inexplicably ducked under a cross from Ryan Taylor to allow Marcus Marshall to head in unchallenged from three yards.

Rotherham would have gone in ahead at the break but for a timely sliding clearance from Evans as Marshall prepared to put a cross into the net.

The visitors continued in a similar vein after the restart and City goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley had to be alert to keep out Callum Kennedy, Ian Thomas-Moore and Jason Taylor inside the opening five minutes of the half.

Williams inadvertently came close to handing Rotherham a second goal after Hunt fired a clearance straight at his team-mate, who was relieved to see the ball loop the other side of the post.

Kennedy was the next to go close for the Millers on 64 minutes with a stinging free-kick that hit the top of the crossbar.

City raced up the other end and Speight headed a cross from Evans against the bar.

Bradford thought they had won it four minutes from time when David Syers drilled a shot that diverted into the net off Speight, only for the celebrations to be cut shot by a linesman’s flag.

It seemed that honours would end even, only for Adeyemi to snatch a dramatic winner and ensure Jackson, who will unveil a new assistant today, ended his first home game with a win.

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Bradford City: Pidgeley; Hunt, Williams, Oliver, O’Brien; Evans (Osborne 89), Worthington (Adeyemi 80), Flynn, Dobie (Syers 71); Hanson, Speight. Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Bullock, Horne, Threlfall.

Rotherham United: Warrington; Coid (Tonge 67), Fenton, Mnullins, Kennedy; Thomas-Moore, J Taylor, Law, Henderson; Marshall, R Taylor. Unused substitutes: Annerson, Tonge, Harrison, Ashworth, Warne, Bradley, Randall.

Referee: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).