Davies and Wells earn away joy for Bantams

City were the better side in a goalless, and largely incident-free, first half with Wells firing into the side netting and Kyel Reid having an effort from distance deflected behind for a corner.

Simon Heslop sent a 20-yarder over the bar as the home side looked to be running out of ideas in attack and after the break City took complete control with a powerful and professional display. Gary Jones had a curling free-kick saved at his near post by United keeper Ryan Clarke and Reid was denied by a full-length dive as he tried his luck from outside the area.

The breakthrough finally arrived after 52 minutes from a Jones corner on the left which Davies met perfectly six yards out and headed in.

And Bradford doubled their advantage midway through the second half from another corner.

It was Jones with the delivery again, Rory McArdle flicking on for Wells to force the ball over the line from close range.

Oxford’s best effort, from substitute Peter Leven’s free-kick, was well saved by Jon McLaughlin.

And City could have added a third with 14 minutes remaining when Will Atkinson’s jinking run took him past three defenders and into the Oxford box.

His shot was well saved by Clarke and Jones sent the rebound flying high over the bar.

Phil Parkinson said: “It was a good, solid, professional performance. It was spot on from the lads. It feels great to win away. There was a lot of effort put in and there are some tired legs in the dressing room.”

Oxford United: Clarke; Batt, Raynes, Wright, O’Brien (Leven 62); Heslop (Rigg 62), Cox, Capaldi; Potter, Constable, Craddock. Unused substitutes: Smalley, Brown, Worley, Boateng, Marsh.

Bradford City: McLaughlin; McArdle, Davies, Oliver, Meredith; Reid (Hines 82), Jones, Doyle, Atkinson; Wells (Thompson 68), Hanson. Unused substitutes: Duke, Darby, Ravenhill, Connell, McHugh.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).