Parkinson pledging Bantams will bounce back after shock loss

Rochdale, with only one win in their previous six matches, were sharper, quicker to the ball and defended resolutely to ensure there was no comeback by the League Cup semi-finalists.

Promotion contenders Bradford had been unbeaten in their previous five league matches, but Parkinson admitted: “We were second best. I have got to hold my hands up as well – the balance of the team was not right.

“We didn’t get the ball down and play and we lacked intensity in all departments.

“Rochdale were sharper than we were, but we will respond to that – we have got make sure it is a one-off.”

Terry Gornell put Rochdale ahead in the sixth minute, taking a short pass from Bobby Grant just inside the area before scoring with a rasping right-footed shot.

Bradford equalised with a penalty in the 20th minute when striker Alan Connell was pushed by Ryan Edwards and scored from the spot.

The visitors raced into a 3-1 lead with two goals in four minutes. Andrew Tutte restored their lead after 28 minutes with a skidding 20-yard shot and Ashley Grimes scored their third in the 32nd minute, firing home from 10 yards.

Bradford pulled a goal back four minutes later when Connell scored his second from the spot after Phil Edwards handled James Meredith’s cross, but Rochdale restored their two-goal advantage in the 40th minute when Gornell scored his second goal with a looping header.

Bradford tried to get back into the game in the second half, but were unable to break through the visitors’ solid defence.

Bradford City: Duke, Darby, McArdle, Naylor (Hannah 74), Meredith, Thompson (Atkinson 46), Doyle (Turgott 74), G Jones, Reid, Hanson, Connell. Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Ravenhill, R Jones, Hines.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (Bennett 82), R Edwards, P Edwards, McIntyre, Kennedy, Cavanagh, Tutte, Grimes (Putterill 90), Gornell (Donnelly 72mins), Grant. Unused substitutes: Smith, Barry-Murphy, Adebola, Craney.

Referee: D Coote (Nottingham).

Man of the match: Alan Connell.