United 1 Bradford City 2
United striker Scott Rendell will be out for up to four weeks after breaking his arm during United's 2-1 defeat to Bradford at Plainmoor. Scott had to be substituted in the second half after injuring his arm and will now have an operation at the start of next week.
Two late goals from Gareth Evans sent Bradford home with all of the points in a match where United outplayed their opponents but came away with nothing to show for an afternoon of hard work and positive play.
Wayne Carlisle failed a late fitness test and with both Jake Thomson and new signing Guy Branston not eligible in today's game it meant a return to the starting line-up for Danny Stevens.
Bradford were on a run of results similar to United's and it was the Gulls who started the match the brighter. In the ninth minute United had their first sight at goal when Lee Mansell slipped a neat pass through the Bradford back line for Danny Stevens to latch onto but Glennon was quickly off his line and got a foot on the ball before it was finally cleared.
United continued to dominate and in the 14th minute Scott Rendell floated a fine pass over the last Bradford defender and into the path of Elliot Benyon. Benyon turned back inside and from 20 yards forced Glennon into a decent one handed save at the expense of a corner. From the resultant set-piece Bradford couldn't clear their lines and the ball eventually bounced at the feet of Chris Robertson who struck the ball past Glennon with a low shot from 12 yards.
Goal: United 1 (Robertson 15) Bradford 0
Bradford tried to respond to going a goal behind in a positive manner but United were matching them in most departments and with Scott Rendell and Elliot Benyon causing the Bradford defence plenty of problems it was the Gulls that were looking the likely scorers of the game's second goal.
United saw a chance to double their lead pass by when Chris Zebroski crossed low from the right and Scott Rendell missed his kick, the ball fell to Danny Stevens but he shot over from close range.
Bradford were being limited to few chances and Michael Poke was by far the quieter goalkeeper and only a single shot from Boulding in the entire first half tested the Gulls' 'keeper. This was one of United's brightest performances for a while and with United's front two very busy, the midfield getting the better of Bradford's and a goal up things were looking very rosy as we headed toward the break.
Half-Time: United 1 Bradford 0
Bradford boss Stuart McCall made a double change at the break with Rehman replacing Williams and ex-Gull Chris Brandon making way for Evans. It was a brave decision and it only drew dividends much later in the proceedings.
United very nearly scored inside the opening two minutes of the second half when Elliot Benyon made a cross-field run and released Scott Rendell down the right of the Bradford penalty area but his right foot shot was inches wide of the far post. Even at this early stage of the second period you had the feeling that a second United goal would finish the game off.
Zebroski forced a save from Glennon with a far post header after a fine cross from Danny Stevens as United pressed. Bradford though were looking to respond and soon had United under pressure of their own. From a City corner Boulding had a goalbound header blocked by Chris Zebroski and Evans flashed the ball across the United area and just behind Rehman who was closing in at the far post.
On the hour mark Scott Rendell had to be substituted after picking up an arm injury that turned out to be a break of the forearm and was replaced by Eunan O'Kane. This forced a reshuffle with Zebroski moving up front and Danny Stevens switching to the left of midfield and O'Kane taking his place on the right. It didn't seem to affect United too much because they had a sustained period of pressure with O'Kane and Wroe both having shots blocked and from a corner a thundering header by Kieran Charnock was deflected wide by the ankle of Flynn.
United produced the move of the match with 15 minutes remaining which involved Tyrone Thompson, Nicky Wroe, Elliot Benyon and Eunan O'Kane with the young Irishman eventually pulling the ball back for Danny Stevens but his shot was cleared off the line again by Flynn. That clearance off the line proved to be a pivotal moment in the match because shortly after it Bradford equalised. Eunan O'Kane did well to cover back 40 yards on a Bradford breakaway and clear to concede a corner but from that set-piece Evans bundled the ball in at the far post. It was harsh on United but now it was very much game on.
Goal: United 1 Bradford 1 (Evans 82)
Having equalized Bradford now had a head of steam up and United started to doubt themselves a little, it was enough of a change in mentality to encourage the visitors to press forward looking for a winner.
Added on time brought the final drama in the match; a free-kick from Ramsden flashed across the United area and Evans volleyed home from close range. If the equalizer was harsh on United then the winner was a total kick in the teeth.
Goal: United 1 Bradford 2 (Evans 90 + 3)
Full-Time: United 1 Bradford 2
Gutted is probably the best word to describe the United players, supporters and staff after a result like this because the performance should have been rewarded with far more than one goal and no points. Crewe away on a Tuesday night is tough at the best of times and when you are searching for a win as United are it will need another performance like todays with maybe a bit more luck.
