Graham Alexander hailed an improved second half as Bradford ground out a hard-fought win at Bromley to continue their excellent run of form in League Two.
Bobby Pointon’s low strike seven minutes from time was all Bradford needed to seal the win and move up to second place.
Alexander said: “That was a difficult game tonight, we had to deal with a lot of balls into our box that put us under pressure but I felt we managed it really well.
“We controlled possession but were a bit too safe with it in the first half, we always play better when we move the ball quickly.
“The second half we were much better and I’ll have to check if Michael Mellon’s effort crossed the line but Bobby’s finish was a brilliant way to win the game against a really tough team.
“It’s another clean sheet and reward for how hard we work as a team on our defensive system from front to back.”
A goalless first half saw the two sides largely cancel each other out as the Bantams failed to make their dominance of possession count.
The second 45 saw a similar pattern of play, with Bradford making all the running, and on the hour mark a brilliant Grant Smith double save from Brad Halliday and Mellon kept the scoreline level.
Bromley promptly fashioned their first meaningful effort of the match, Michael Cheek’s snap volley turned behind by Sam Walker.
Moments later the Ravens had a vociferous appeal for a penalty turned away when the ball seemed to strike a defender’s hand but it was Bradford who won the game with Pointon’s strike. Second-half substitute Jamie Walker did well to turn away from his man and his pass found Pointon in enough space to drill low past Smith.
Right at the death Omar Sowunmi saw his bullet header well saved by Walker as the Bantams hung on for the victory.
Bromley manager Andy Woodman refused to be downhearted with the result.
He said: “I thought we matched Bradford up all over the pitch, we have a team that gives everything and I thought ultimately the game came down to fine margins.
“Their centre-forward showed some quality for the winner and we had a decision that I felt should have gone our way in their box and didn’t.
“We knew we had to be good defensively because if we opened up the game we would be pulled apart. At times we were getting overrun so we adapted to that and did our best to shut them down.
“I thought we did that really well and I am more than happy with my team and how they go about executing my plans.”
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