Dag & Red 4 Bradford 3: Poor start costs Bradford dearly despite stirring comeback

Dagenham & Redbridge were two up at the break and it could have been far worse for Phil Parkinson’s men.

It was a different story in the second period following the introduction of Alan Connell as the Bantams put the home side under pressure for long spells.

But they still conceded a further goal before a dramatic fightback – inspired by a Nahki Wells double – put them on the verge of parity until their hopes were ended by a breakaway.

City, unable to cope with Dagenham’s pace on the flanks early on, could hardly have made a worse start as they found themselves behind after just six minutes when Dwight Coyle’s pace on the left gave him the space to cross for Billy Bingham to fire home after Jon McLaughlin had saved Michael Spillane’s initial shot.

Luke Howell flashed an effort across the face of goal before Bradford were opened up for a second time on the half hour, when Medy Elitio’s cross from the right was drilled home by Spillane.

Bingham should have added a third on the stroke of half-time, but curled a shot wide when well placed.

City opened the second half brightly and James Hanson was inches away from connecting with a Wells cross within two minutes of the restart.

But their task became even greater after 51 minutes when they left Luke Wilkinson unmarked at a corner and he headed home to make it 3-0.

Wells reduced the arrears with a sweetly-struck free-kick and when home goalkeeper Lewington clattered into Connell in the area five minutes later, Wells kept his cool to slot home from the penalty spot.

Wells was denied a second penalty after he appeared to have been bundled over by Wilkinson soon after and Connell latched onto a James Hanson flick only to send his shot on the turn narrowly over the crossbar.

Bradford were well on top, but they were caught on the break with 15 minutes remaining when Dwight Gayle chased a ball out of defence and fired home from the edge of the area.

Andrew Davies had a header cleared off the line before City reduced the arrears to a single goal again in the 84th minute, Connell stooping down well to head home from Nathan Doyle’s well-placed long throw.

With the clock running down, City threw everyone forward in a desperate attempt to rescue a point their second-half play deserved and had three chances in six minutes of stoppage time.

But Wells headed over, Davies sent an effort onto the roof of the net and Connell curled a shot over as they returned home empty-handed.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington; Ogogo, Wilkinson, Doe, Ilesanmi; Bingham, Howell, Spillane; Elito (Woodall 83), Gayle, Williams. Unused substitutes: Seabright, Scott, Reed, Saunders, Hoyte, Green.

Bradford City: McLaughlin; McArdle, Davies, Oliver, Meredith; Hines (Connell 46), Ravenhill, Doyle, Atkinson (Thompson 72); Wells, Hanson. Unused substitutes: Duke, R Jones, Darby, McHugh, Baker.

Referee: P Gibbs.

Man of the match: Alan Connell.