Bradford City 1 - 2 Rochdale

Bradford City 1 - 2 Rochdale

Rochdale left it late to snatch all three points against 10 man Bradford City when substitute Calvin Andrew came off the bench to head home a stoppage time winner.

Andrew rose highest to head a Michael Rose free-kick beyond Ben Williams in the Bradford goal.

Peter Vincenti had earlier given Dale the lead after Ian Henderson’s penalty came back off the crossbar; Vincenti slamming the loose ball into the net.

Bradford’s Jordan Pickford was shown a straight red card in the build up to the penalty after he tripped Dale’s Matty Done.

James Hanson deservedly levelled for the 10 men of Bradford midway through the first half but it was Andrew who had the final say to end City’s 10 game unbeaten run.

On a horrible pitch in windy conditions, Dale struggled to get a foothold in the game with returning players Ian Henderson and Stephen Dawson rarely influencing their side's play.

Bradford are known for their long ball football but it was the quick feet of on loan striker Jon Stead that saw the first chance of the game. The striker showing great skill to create space but curled his shot wide of the far post.

Dale hadn’t threatened up until the 10th minute and brought about the major talking point with their first attack. Vincenti’s perfectly timed through ball picked out Done who was felled inside the area when trying to round Pickford in the City goal. Referee Gavin Ward showing little hesitation in brandishing the red card and awarding the spot kick.

Henderson, who struck the crossbar with his last penalty kick, did exactly the same with this one but intelligently ducked out of the way of the rebound to allow Vincenti to fire home.

Bradford, whose manager earned the League One manager of the month award for December, hit back through a reliable source; James Hanson’s knock back from a deep cross by Morais found Stead who headed in from close range.

The pitch was cutting up badly meaning any type of pretty football was virtually non-existent.

Matt Done had a shot from distance flash wide whilst former Dale defender Rory McArdle was inches away from connecting to a Morais free-kick.

The Rochdale manager sent Michael Rose and Calvin Andrew on in the second half as he tried to sway the game in his side's favour and it was the two substitutes who combined for the winner.

Rose’s freekick from almost the half way line found Andrew at the back post with the big striker heading back across goal and inside the far post for his third goal of the season.

The late goal sparked scenes of jubilation from the travelling contingent and a mass exodus of Bradford fans as they saw their side lose for the first time in 10 games.

Dale move on to a home tie against Crawley next weekend whilst Bradford face Millwall at home for the chance to face Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Attendance: 13,571 (728 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Lancashire (c), Tanser (Rose 59), Bennett, Dawson, Camps (Andrew 83), Vincenti, Henderson (Logan 66), Done
Subs: (not used) Diba, Hery, Cannon, Bunney

Bradford: Pickford, Darby (c), Meredith, McArdle, Sheehan, Liddle, Morais (Kennedy 86), Halliday (Williams 11), Knott (Yeates 70), Stead, Hanson
Subs: (not used) Zoko, Routis, McBurnie, Mottley-Henry

Referee: Mr G Ward
Assistant Referees: Mr P Cook & Mr A Newbold
Fourth Official: Mr N Gibbons