Red Devils sink Bantams

Bradford suffered a first home defeat since November as promotion-chasing Crawley triumphed 2-1 at Valley Parade.

Chris Dagnall had the ball in the net for the Bantams with half an hour gone, but a flag had already been raised for offside. The Red Devils took a 54th minute lead when Luke Oliver brought down Gary Alexander on the right and Scott Davies sent a high free-kick to the far post where Leon Clarke headed the ball down and across keeper Jon McLaughlin to claim his first goal for the club. Bradford manager Phil Parkinson responded with a double substitution, sending on Ricky Ravenhill and Nahki Wells and the equaliser arrived in the 72nd minute, Dagnall heading home Kyel Reid's free-kick. However, Crawley's lead was restored five minutes later. Davies produced a run and cross from the right and Alexander headed past McLaughlin from six yards. Referee Ian Williamson's much used whistle reflected a physical, disjointed contest which saw six players cautioned - five of them from Crawley - and a brawl after the final whistle.