Bradford City provide ‘no positives’ for Stuart McCall

The scoreline flattered the Bantams, who suffered a third defeat in eight days, and McCall said: “We were poor all over the park. Every part of our game was really poor. There were no positives.

“They were stronger than us up front and held the ball up better. The midfield runners got forward better.

“The biggest disappointment was our possession of the ball. If you cannot pass it from A to B then you are struggling. We gave up cheap possession and gave the opposition chances at goal.”

City had the encouragement of a 10th-minute lead when goalkeeper Ian Lawson brought down Clayton Donaldson, who got up and scored from the spot.

Oldham equalised seven minutes later when Conor McAleny cut in from the left before scoring with a super 20-yard right-foot shot. From then until half-time, they laid siege to the Bradford goal.

McAleny headed against the bar and was twice denied by goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell and there were numerous other misses.

City survived until the interval, but three minutes into the second half, Danny Rowe scored with a terrific 30-yard shot.

McCall said: “We were fortunate to be still in the cup at half-time. We changed into a more solid shape but then let Rowe turn and shoot into the top corner.”

Bradford City: O’Donnell, Hosannah (Evans 45), P O’Connor, A O’ Connor, Richards-Everton, Wood, Ismail (Motley-Henry 16), Clarke (Cooke 73), Watt, Donaldson, Samuels. Unused substitutes: Hornby, Longridge, French, Cousin-Dawson

Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Page (Jombati 78), Clarke, Piergianni, Borthwick- Jackson, Garrity, Ntambwe, Kellor-Dunn, McCalmont, McAleny (Barnett 71), Rowe. Unused substitutes: Bilboe, Whelan, Diarra, Da Silva, Hamer.

Referee: M Coy (County Durham).

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.