Early red card helps Bradford cruise to away win

BRADFORD CITY extended their unbeaten run to four games as they brushed aside 10-man Barnet with ease.

The Bantams were always on top after Darren Dennehy was sent off early on, and the three points helped them leapfrog their hosts in the table.

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson was able to recall Craig Fagan and Luke Oliver for the trip to Underhill after both missed the weekend home draw against Hereford, with Nahki Wells and Lee Bullock dropping to the bench.

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And the changes certainly had the desired effect with Fagan getting the visitors’ first goal on the way to a 2-0 half-time lead, despite kicking up the notorious Barnet slope.

There was plenty of drama in the 16th minute as the Bantams opened the scoring from the penalty spot after home defender Dennehy hauled down the lightning-quick Fagan.

Dennehy was immediately shown the red card by referee Roger East and former Hull City and Derby County striker Fagan simply dusted himself down before comfortably beating goalkeeper Liam O’Brien from the spot.

Already it looked promising for the visitors and they doubled their lead in the 37th minute when substitute Will Atkinson – on for early injury victim Michael Flynn – pounced to steer Kyel Reid’s cross past O’Brien.

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The Bantams continued to dominate after the restart and extended their advantage just before the hour mark.

This time Reid was more selfish as he buried a sweet low shot past O’Brien from 20 yards.

Substitute Wells wrapped up a superb night for the Bantams two minutes from time when he slotted home Rob Kozluk’s neat cross.

Barnet: O’Brien, Hughes, Dennehy, Byrne, Deering, Holmes (Taylor 46), Hector, Saville (Mustoe 49), Kamdjo, McLeod, Downing. Unused substitutes: Brill, N’Diaye, Obita.

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Bradford City: McLaughlin, Flynn (Atkinson 24), Oliver, Jones, Smalley, Ravenhill, Kozluk, Reid (Bullock 85), Seip, Davies, Fagan (Wells 75). Unused substitutes: Annerson, Fry.

Referee: R East (Wiltshire).

Second-half goals from Ronan Murray and Paul Benson lifted Swindon Town four points clear at the top of League Two with a 2-0 home victory over Burton.

Gavin Tomlin’s injury-time winner sealed a remarkable recovery by Gillingham at home to Hereford. The Gills trailed 4-2 with nine minutes to play, but a Charlie Lee brace and Tomlin’s late strike snatched a 5-4 victory.

Play-off chasers Port Vale and Crewe drew 1-1.

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