Bradford City 2 Torquay United 0

Attendance: 11,123 (206 away)

It isn't often you come away from a 2-0 defeat and actually don't feel too deflated. United had enough of the ball and sometimes used it very well but ultimately luck wasn't on their side and, if we are being honest, they were a little wasteful in possession on occasions against a team that were solid without being spectacular.

Paul Buckle made two changes to the line-up that started the Barnet game last weekend; Scott Rendell & Mustapha stepped down to the bench with Tim Sills and Wayne Carlisle returning to the starting XI.

United started solidly and were looking very positive at times as they played the ball to feet although this attitude very nearly provided the home side with the opening goal when Kieran Charnock took one too many touches out on the left touchline and Colbeck dispossessed him and drove into the United area before squaring the ball to Flynn. Fortunately for United the Bradford midfielders aim was well off the mark and his shot rolled limply wide of Scott Bevan's left hand post.

The Gulls were looking composed on the ball but frustratingly the odd misplaced pass gave up possession at a crucial moment and attack was turned into rushed defence as the home side tried to benefit from the Gulls' profligacy. The one main criticism of United in this match was the lack of clear chances created. It wasn't a lack of effort or application but it put increased pressure on the defence to contain their hosts.

Tim Sills had a shot blocked 12 yards out after good work down the right by Nicky Wroe and Wayne Carlisle and Danny Stevens was looking bright as he was involved in most of United's better moments.

It was a case of the two teams cancelling each other out for most of the first half and only the odd mistake or flash of inspiration brought about a sight of goal but that was to change right on the stroke of half-time. Charnock was adjudged to have fouled Colbeck out near United's left touchline; it looked a soft decision and Charnock let Colbeck know his thoughts as he made his way back into the middle to defend the free-kick. From the set-piece Hanson stole in front of his marker and glanced a downward header inside the far corner giving a diving Bevan no chance.

Goal: Bradford 1 (Hanson 45) United 0

United had probably done enough to go in level at the break but instead they had to dust themselves down and prepare for a second half push.

Half-Time: Bradford 1 United 0

No changes at the break and United started with plenty of tempo and attitude in the second half as they sought an equalizer. The Gulls had the better of things as the match ticked toward the hour mark but Nicky Wroe still had to block bravely on the edge of his own area from an O'Brien shot and the crowd were responding to the increased pace and work rate on show from both sides.

The same frailties were on show as both sides relinquished possession with frustrating frequency but this was making for an end-to-end encounter and the match was still very much in the balance. Bucks made a double change midway through the second half with Scott Rendell & Mustapha Carayol replacing Elliot Benyon & Danny Stevens in straight positional swaps.

United's best chance of drawing level came twenty minutes from time after Mustapha Carayol was brought down by Williams out on the left touchline and Kevin Nicholson produced a trademark whipped free-kick which was met by a well timed run from United skipper Chris Hargreaves. Unfortunately, his connection with the ball was, if anything, too good and the ball went over the crossbar. Moments later and another Nicholson centre just eluded Hargreaves and surprised Rendell who couldn't get a proper touch on the ball and it rolled to safety before being cleared.

As the minutes ticked by United gradually pushed the home side back and if another goal was going to come it looked for all the world as if it was going to be a United equalizer. In the final minute a deep Wayne Carlisle cross was fumbled by Eastwood in the Bradford goal under challenge from Rendell and the loose ball fell to Tim Sills who had to take an immediate shot but Eastwood had scrambled over and smothered the shot from close range; it was United's last chance and the coup de grace was soon to follow from a familiar face.

As is so often the case, former players come back to haunt their original employers and this match was no different. Just as United were pushing all numbers forward for a final attempt the ball broke kindly for Bradford and a lob over the top of the United back one gave Brandon a clear run on Scott Bevan's goal. Despite a manful effort from Nicky Wroe who gave Brandon a couple of yards and almost ran him down, and an advancing Bevan, the former Gulls' winger waited for the opportune moment to flick the ball low past Bevan and secure the three points.

In their latest away match United had come, seen and almost conquered against a team that will have to improve themselves if they are going to threaten the promotion places in League 2. A 14 hour journey the day before and an arrival at the team hotel at 1.45am on Saturday morning couldn't have been foreseen but it also couldn't have helped although Bucks was keen not to use it as an excuse. United had threatened to play very well and with the odd bit of tinkering this United squad isn't far off a very competitive League 2 side but the overwhelming feeling as you walked away was that both these teams were very much works in progress.