Bradford continue winning home run by beating Harrogate

Bradford stayed in touch with the League Two automatic promotion places after recording a seventh consecutive home win by beating Harrogate 1-0.

Antoni Sarcevic’s early goal proved enough against Harrogate, who remain looking over their shoulders at the other end of the table.

Bradford wasted no time in taking control with a goal inside two minutes.

Bobby Pointon’s cross picked out Sarcevic for a firm header into the corner of the net.

The Bantams, who had won just one of the previous five games against their Yorkshire neighbours at Valley Parade, controlled the first half.

Alex Pattison shot over from just inside the box against his former club and Brad Halliday tested goalkeeper James Belshaw with a fizzing drive.

Harrogate had struggled to create anything but they had a good spell soon after the break and nearly levelled through on-loan Fulham striker Olly Sanderson, who had a spell at Bradford in the first half of the season.

Josh March also went close before Belshaw denied Sarcevic a second and acrobatically saved in a goalmouth scramble from Richie Smallwood’s corner.