Bradford City v Fleetwood Town: Hanson rises highest to earn Bantams win

There had been little to choose between the two sides when Hanson broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, rising above the visitors’ defence to score with a downward header from just inside the six-yard box from skipper Gary Jones’s corner.

Bradford produced plenty of endeavour in an evenly-fought first half, but created few clear-cut chances and the nearest either side came to scoring was in the 26th minute when the much travelled Jon Parkin split the home defence to put David Ball through on goal. His shot beat keeper Matt Duke but struck the crossbar.

City almost went in front two minutes after the interval when a shot from new signing Zavon Hines struck team-mate Nahki Wells and rebounded on to the crossbar. However, Bradford’s pressure paid off when Wells’ shot was deflected for a corner from which Hanson scored the winner.

Kyel Reid then pulled the ball back for Wells after a run down the right, but the Bermudian international scuffed his shot.

There was a let off for Bradford when Fleetwood hit the woodwork, substitute Andrew Mangan heading against the post from Dean Howell’s cross.

Then, as play continued to swing from end to end, Reid had the chance to increase Bradford’s lead when he raced into the penalty area before testing Scott Davies with a low left-foot shot. Reid fired the rebound high and wide.

Bradford City: Duke, McArdle, Oliver, A Davies, Meredith, Hines (Thompson 66mins), G Jones, Doyle Atkinson 77mins), Reid, Hanson, Wells (Darby 86mins). Unused substitutes: Connell, Hannah, McHugh, J McLaughlin.

Fleetwood Town: S Davies, Beesley, Mawene, McNulty, Howell, Nicholson, Johnson, McGuire (Marrow 83mins), Ball (Mangan 56mins), Parkin, Brown (Gillespie 83ins). Unused substitutes: Maxwell (gk), Fowler, Goodall, C McLaughlin, Marrow.

Referee: S Duncan (Newcastle).