Bradford City 3 Stockport County 2: Bantams rocked by Richards death

Taylor, who announced his decision to leave on Thursday after failing to make the anticipated push for the League Two play-offs, included just three of the players who had started for him in his first match in charge of the club in February last year.

Captain Michael Flynn, Luke O’Brien and James Hanson were the trio who had played in the 2-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley and a fourth member of that City side, Matt Glennon, was in goal for County today.

The game was overshadowed by the sudden death of former Bradford defender, Dean Richards, aged 36, after a long battle against illness.

An eventful first half resulted in Steve Williams heading City into a 14th-minute lead from Flynn’s free-kick but the central defender turned villain as he lost possession in midfield, allowing County captain Paul Turnbull to advance and slot home a 28th-minute equaliser.

Flynn and Williams had efforts blocked on the line before Williams hit the bar with his second attempt following a corner and, after another flag kick, Adam Griffin was sent off for handling on the line only for James Hanson to see Glennon beat away his 34th-minute spot kick.

Worse was to follow for City as Ryan Dobie raced through the middle and, although Pidgeley initially got both hands to the ball, tucked the chance away to give 10-man County a 40th-minute lead.

City introduced attacking strength in Jake Speight and Gareth Evans at the break but still the equaliser would not come.

They got another lift in the 65th minute when Dobie was sent off for elbowing Luke Oliver in the face as they challenged for a Stockport clearance.

Speight saw a shot deflected against the bar before Williams finally equalised from close range after Hanson and Symes won headers following a corner in the 76th minute.

City finally cracked County again deep into the five minutes of stoppage time, Evans drilling the ball home from the right of the area after a shot from Luke O’Brien had deflected across into his path.