Bradford City 2 Accrington Stanley 1: Subs combine as City stay alert in league

There were just four minutes remaining when Reid, who has just returned to the side after almost thee months out with a hamstring injury, took a pass from captain Gary Jones before supplying the cross for Connell to score the winner with a glancing header.

The goal, which came seven minutes after the 10-man visitors had fought back to equalise through Benin international midfielder Romuald Boco, was a rare moment of class in a dogged battle played on a heavy pitch.

Bradford deservedly went in front in the 23rd minute with a superbly-taken goal by Garry Thompson, who scored with a low shot into the far corner after striker James Hanson headed Rory McArdle’s long free-kick into his path. Hanson created two other chances for Will Atkinson and Zavon Hines that were missed.

Accrington, without a win in seven matches, improved in the second half and only a superb save from Matt Duke prevented Craig Lindfield from equalising. Although they went down to 10 men after 67 minutes when Dean Winnard was sent off for a second bookable offence, they equalised in the 79th minute when City failed to clear skipper Luke Joyce’s free-kick and Boco stabbed the ball home. But Connell produced a quality finish to earn a win that lifts into fifth place.

Bradford City: Duke, Darby, McArdle, Naylor, Meredith, Hines (Wells 43mins, Connell 72mins), G Jones, Doyle, Atkinson (Reid 82mins, Thompson, Hanson. Unused substitutes: McLaughlin , Ravenhill, R Jones, Connell, Turgott.

Accrington Stanley: Rachubka, Winnard, Murphy, Nsiala, Liddle, Lindfield, Boco, Miller, Joyce, Molyneux (Carver half time), Beattie (Amond 88mins). Unused substitutes: Dawber (gk), Hatfield, Clark, Dixon, Eckersley.

Referee: G Eltringham (Newcastle).