Carlisle United 1 Bradford City 0: Bradford’s nerves likely to kick in after another defeat in poor run

Manager Phil Parkinson’s side will surely be looking anxiously over their shoulders as the latest setback leaves them just five points clear of the League One drop zone.

City fell behind inside the opening quarter of an hour when they failed to deal with James Berrett’s corner and Miller was on hand to open the scoring with an overhead kick.

It might have been worse on the half hour had it not been for a full length save from Jon McLaughlin which kept out Matty Robson’s effort.

City rarely threatened and forced just one save from home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who did well to get his hands to a stinging left-footed shot by Adam Reach after the winger had cut in from the right.

Carlisle should have doubled their advantage early in the second half when David Amoo raced clear but his touch, as he tried to take the ball round, McLaughlin was far too strong.

Andrew Davies then blocked Berrett’s shot and McLaughlin saved well from Miller’s free header.

The home side – clearly anxious themselves after a run of seven defeats in their previous nine league starts – started to retreat, handing the initiative to the Bantams.

But a long-range effort from Gary Jones was saved by Pickford and Aaron Mclean twice missed the target, firing over from 10 yards and wide from a little further out.

Carlisle United: Pickford; Chimbonda, Meppen-Walter, O’Hanlon Robson; Potts, Thirlwell, Berrett; Amoo (Byrne 67), Miller, Redmond (Drennan 73). Unused substitutes: Noble, Ekangamene, Symington, Fleming, Guy

Bradford City: McLaughlin; Darby, Bates, McArdle, Davies; Jones, Dolan (Doyle 46), Thompson (Bennett 73), Reach; Mclean, Hanson (Gray 80). Unused substitutes: McBurnie, McHugh, Atkinson, Jameson.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).

Leyton Orient squandered the chance to move joint top of League One as they stumbled to a 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City, Kevin Lisbie’s goal just before the break their only consolation.