Bradford City 1 Oxford United 2: Bantams’ Cup heroes continue to falter in their promotion push

Phil Parkinson was cheered as he took his seat in the dug out, the crowd applauding his decision to reject the idea of becoming Blackpool’s next manager.

However, the day ended in disappointment and frustration for the Bradford manager, who saw his team lose to a disputed last minute penalty.

It was a far cry from the jubilant scenes at Valley Parade four days earlier, when City beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Capital One Cup semi-final, first leg and, unfortunately for the Bantams, despite League Cup glory, their League form has slumped with only one point from their last four matches.

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In contrast, Oxford have gone eight League games unbeaten and City were stretched throughout by the strong visitors in a scrappy game despite taking a 14th-minute lead through leading scorer Nahki Wells.

The Bermudan striker took advantage of a mistake by experienced defender Michael Duberry. The former Leeds United and Chelsea player attempted to head the ball back to advancing goalkeeper Wayne Brown only to head it past him and Wells, following up, turned the ball into the net from an acute angle.

Oxford equalised five minutes later through Sean Rigg, who fired home from the edge of the area when City failed to clear a cross.

Chris Wilder’s side dominated the second half with goalkeeper Matt Duke twice denying Rigg and Carl McHugh clearing off the line from Potter before Stephen Darby was harshly judged to have brought down Potter and Peter Leven scored from the spot.

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Bradford City: Duke, Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Dickson, Hines (Turgott 63), G Jones, Doyle, Atkinson (Reid 63), Gray, Wells (Connell 79). Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Ravenhill, R Jones, Good.

Oxford United: Brown, Raynes, Duberry, Wright, Potter, Batt, Davis, Montrose, Rigg, Richards, Leven. Unused substitutes: Crocombe, Heslop, Capaldi, Worley, O’Brien, Parker, Craddock.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Matt Duke.

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