Bradford City 1 Crawley 0: Dream start for Zoko is well-timed for Bantams

City, who made seven changes to the side beaten at Peterborough at the weekend, started brightly with James Hanson and Andy Halliday both going close. They broke the deadlock after nine minutes when Mark Yeates crossed from deep on the right and Zoko nodded home.

Chris Routis was denied by a last-ditch tackle and a Hanson flick was cleared behind by defender Darren Ward as the Bantams continued to dominate.

Crawley’s best chance of the first half came from a Lee Fowler free-kick six minutes before the break, the former Huddersfield Town man forcing a full length save from Jordan Pickford.

City started the second half as they had the first with Halliday surging past three defenders before firing over and Yeates having an effort blocked.

Crawley’s threat was limited but they went close twice through Izale McLeod.

At the othet end, Alan Sheehan volleyed wide from a deflected Rory McArdle free-kick, while Jon Stead hooked a shot ove.

Sheehan then fired well over in the final five minutes.

Bradford City: Pickford; Darby, McArdle, McKenzie, Meredith; Halliday, Dolan (Knott 76), Routis (Sheehan 69), Yeates; Hanson, Zoko (Stead 69). Unused substitutes: Williams, Clarke, Kennedy, Burke.

Crawley Town: Price; Young (Dickson 69), Ward, Wood, Bradley; Tomlin, Wordsworth, Fowler, Edwards; Pogba (Morgan 69); McLeod. Unused substitutes: Jensen, Smith, Anderson, Bawling, O’Connor.

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).