Colchester United fell to a harsh late defeat at Valley Parade with both goals coming in second half stoppage time.
The U’s were on top for large periods throughout both halves of the game, but spurred on by a significant home following, Bradford City struck late on to claim all three points.
Andy Cook and Scott Banks netted to earn the win, with the U’s heading home empty-handed after a battling performance out on the pitch.
Ross Embleton named a side with two changes for his last game in interim charge of the U’s; Skipper Tommy Smith and Kwesi Appiah were missing from the matchday eighteen altogether.
Junior Tchamadeu returned to the starting eleven after completing his two-game suspension, with Ossama Ashley also appearing in the line-up for the first time since the U’s defeat on the road to Carlisle United.
Continuing with the familiar back three, Will Greenidge and Connor Hall line up either side of former Bantam Fiacre Kelleher. Junior Tchamadeu returned to right-wing back, with another former Bradford player in Connor Wood on the opposite side.
Arthur Read and Ossama Ashley started as the central two midfielder, with Noah Chilvers and Matt Jay playing in more advanced roles; Tom Hopper led the line at Valley Parade.
More than 20,000 fans were packed into the University of Bradford Stadium to see the U’s take on the Bantams, with the hosts, as you would expect, making the majority of the noise.
However, it was Ross Embleton’s travelling side that created more dangerous attacks in the first forty-five minutes.
Former Bradford City man Connor Wood had the early chance after just nine minutes of play. Junior Tchamadeu was able to get a cross over to the far post, with Wood’s header needing to be clawed way from goal by Harry Lewis.
Noah Chilvers then went close on a second ball that bounced to him on the edge of the penalty area. The U’s midfielder was able to get his shot away, but it was deflected just wide and out for a corner.
January arrival Matt Jay then tried his luck with twenty-four minutes gone. He cut in from the left flank to try and curl one beyond Lewis, but the home ‘keeper was equal to his effort; another shot on target for the U’s.
And the best chance of the first half fell to fellow January signing Tom Hopper after Matt Jay was able to squeeze the ball through a tight gap to him. Hopper looked to get away from his man with a jinking run, and was able to create the space to shoot, but once again Lewis was in the way.
The last five minutes saw the home crowd start to get frustrated with their team’s performance, with Bantams boss Mark Hughes also showing signs of irritation. He reacted poorly to a foul on Junior Tchamadeu on the touchline, with a small scuffle ensuing.
And Jamie Walker was the first player to see a card, being issued a caution for a foul on Will Greenidge after the U’s defender had passed him with ease. Nevertheless, the U’s couldn’t force home their chances with the two teams heading to the break goalless.
Neither side opted to make a change at the break as the U’s continued in a positive fashion after half time.
A good spell of pressure in front of goal brought a series of corners for Colchester early on in the second period, with Connor Hall and Junior Tchamadeu both going close to breaking the deadlock.
But the hosts started to fight back and were creating their own chances in front of goal. The league’s top scorer, Andy Cook had started to get his head on crosses in the centre of the penalty area, with full back Brad Halliday also testing Kieran O’Hara.
Mark Hughes soon opted to freshedn up his team with Osadebe, East and Banks all introduced, while Ross Emblton’s side had to soak up the pressure from the Bantams.
Only able to get forward on the counter attack, the U’s saw a nasty challenge put in on Connor Wood. Brad Halliday was shown a yellow card for the foul as the visitors started to tire,
Ross Embleton responded with a change as Samson Tovide was introduced in place of Tom Hopper, but only after Matty Platt had rattled the post with a powerful header from Adam Clayton’s corner in the seventy-ninth minute.
The hosts made their fourth change with Harry Chapman introduced in place of Adam Clayton as they went in search of a winner, as the U’s made their own alterations.
Matt Jay strolled off after a busy afternoon, with John Akinde coming on for the last couple of minutes, just as the hosts were about to take control in the game.
The first of two quickfire goals in stoppage time came from Andy Cook; the powerful centre forward nodded home for his nineteenth of the season from an in-swinging corner.
The U’s pressed forward with Newby and Fevrier introduced, but it left them exposed at the back as the Bantams claimed a second. Scott Banks ran clean through from Andy Cook’s through ball to stroke home and compound the U’s misery in West Yorkshire.
It would end with the hosts claiming all three points; the U’s remain in nineteenth position with thirty-five points from thirty-five matches. Up next is a return to the JobServe Community Stadium with play-off chasing Stockport County visiting North Essex.
Bradford City starting XI: Lewis, Halliday, Ridehalgh, Platt, Smallwood (Osadebe 61’), Cook, Walker, Gilliead (East 61’), Costelloe (Banks 68’), Stubbs, Clayton (Chapman 85’).
Subs: Doyle, Osadebe, Banks, East, Chapman, Crichlow, Kelly.
Colchester United starting XI: O’Hara, Greenidge, Chilvers (Fevrier 90’), Kelleher, Read (Fevrier 90’), Ashley, Jay (Akinde 89’), Tchamadeu, Wood, Hopper (Tovide 82’), Hall.
Subs: Smith (GK), Newby, Akinde, Marshall Miranda, Tovide, Terry, Fevrier.
Attendance: 20,383 (345)