Bradford City 3 Coventry City 2: Hanson ensures City lay down early marker

Striker James Hanson was the hero, scoring two goals, including a dramatic last-minute winner, as well as earning a penalty, which put the new-look Bradford side back in the lead four minutes after half-time.

It was a satisfying afternoon for manager Phil Parkinson, who included five summer signings in his starting line-up.

He said: “I thought we deserved our win. The first three points of the season are important and the players put down a marker in front of our own fans as to how we want them to play.”

Hanson put Bradford in front after 27 minutes, heading home from a cross by new signing Bill Clarke, but Coventry equalised four minutes before half-time when captain Reda Johnson beat on-loan goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to the ball to head it into the net from Danny Pugh’s inswinging corner.

Alan Sheehan put Bradford back in front from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Johnson was booked for holding back Hanson.

Coventry’s pressure for an equaliser paid off two minutes from the end when Pickford made a point-blank save from Johnson only to see the former Sheffield Wednesday defender hammer home the rebound.

However, Hanson had the last word a minute later, bending low to head home Jason Kennedy’s cross to score Bradford’s winner.

Bradford City: Pickford, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Sheehan, Kennedy, Knott (Dolan 71mins) Liddle, Yeates, Hanson, B Clarke (McLean 86mins). Subs (not used): Urwin (gk), Meredith, Shariff, Morais, Heaton.

Coventry City: Allsop, Willis, Pugh, Webster, Johnson, Thomas (Fleck 66mins), McQuoid, Swanson, O’Brien, Tudgay, J Clarke (Miller 78mins). Subs (not used: Burge (gk), Daniels, Phillips, Haynes, Maddison.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Man of the match: James Hanson.