Stuart McCall delighted by Bantams' resolute display

Tony McMahon’s sublime first-half free-kick was enough to take the spoils, but the Bantams had to be resolute in defence to extend their winning league run on Cobblers’ turf to four games.

McCall said: “The second half saw us pegged back by a strong and physical side. I knew we would have to defend well. They have a number of tall and strong players in their side.

“We expected the pressure that came our way in the second period and we dealt with it well.

“Whenever a side is losing at home, you know they are going to throw everything at you. From the goalkeeper to the forwards, though, we dealt with everything.”

The Bantams had the better of the chances before the break.

Nicky Law could only strike straight at Matt Ingram before Dom Poleon missed a sitter from eight yards out.

Charlie Wyke also forced Ingram into a good save, but McMahon struck when Alex Gilliead was felled 25 yards out by Brendan Moloney and the full-back caressed the free-kick home 11 minutes before the interval.

It was backs to the wall after the restart and City limited the hosts’ chances.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side pushed hard, but struggled to create anything clear cut until Alex Revell and Marc Richards squandered late chances.

Revell headed wide before Richards fired over late in stoppage-time.

Northampton Town: Ingram, Moloney, Buchanan, Taylor, Pierre, Powell (Richards 68), Crooks, Poole (Hoskins 74), Grimes, Revell, Long (Waters 38). Unused substitutes: Cornell, Barnett, Smith, Kasim.

Bradford City: Doyle, Chicksen, Kilgallon, Vincelot, Knight-Percival, McMahon, Reeves, Law (Thompson 80), Gilliead, Wyke, Poleon (Omari 64). Unused substitutes: Raeder, Field, Taylor, McCartan, Jones.

Referee: G Horwood (Luton).