Torquay United 1 Bradford City 3: Bantams put early setback aside by storming to a victory at the seaside

Phil Parkinson’s side could hardly have made a worse start as Joss Labadie fired the home side ahead after three minutes when Kyel Reid failed to clear a cross from the left.

But the visitors’ response was good as they levelled within four minutes from a Gary Jones free-kick, Rory McArdle reacting quickest to glance the ball home from eight yards.

Garry Thompson and Jones both tried their luck from distance before City went ahead after 18 minutes.

Nahki Wells raced into the box to challenge home keeper Michael Poke for the ball which rebounded back for Thompson who fired home from 18 yards.

Poke picked up an injury in the tangle with Wells and was replaced by Martin Rice who almost allowed a stinging Jones effort to slip through his hands.

The home side’s best chance to level came when a Joe Oaster free-kick landed at Brian Saah’s feet but he lifted his shot from 12 yards over the bar.

City sealed their win after just a couple of minutes of the second half when Thompson crossed deep from the right and James Hanson nodded home at the far post. Torquay never looked like pegging City back at any stage despite having a strong wind at their backs.

Lee Mansell had a long range effort saved comfortably by Jon McLaughlin while Rene Howe failed to hit the target on a couple of occasions when well placed.

Torquay United: Poke (Rice 20); Oastler, Cruise, Saah, MacDonald; Jarvis (Chappell 62), Mansell, Labadie, Boden (Macklin 72); Benyon, Howe. Unused substitutes: Nicholson, Downes, Craig, Yeoman,

Bradford City: McLaughlin; Darby, Meredith, McArdle, Davies; Jones, Ravenhill, Reid, Thompson; Hanson, Wells (Atkinson 85). Unused substitutes: Duke, McHugh, Connell, Hines, Nelson, Doyle.

Referee: R Lewis (Shropshire).