Bradford City 1-0 Port Vale
Port Vale came agonisingly close to securing an away point only for an injury-time winner by Carl McHugh to earn the home side all three points.
Micky Adams made one change with Ben Williamson replacing Jordan Hugill who dropped to the bench.
Bradford started strongly with a good chance for Hanson, then Chris Lines tried an audacious 40-yard shot for the Valiants. Then Vale survived a period of heavy pressure from City with Neal pulling off a fine save and captain Doug Loft clearing off the line.
Bradford were largely dominating the first period but Vale still managed a decent chance for Doug Loft on the break.
The Bantams continued the pressure in the second-half and Anthony Griffith was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch as the already-booked midfielder received a stern talking-to after another heavy challenge. But once again, Vale had another good chance for Loft on the hour mark before normal service resumed as Bradford once more put pressure on the Vale goal.
Vale brought on Hugill for Williamson with eighteen minutes left, but the Bradford pressure continued with Reach rattling the post with fifteen minutes left. Vale countered as Hugill ran into the box and forced the keeper into a decent save.
Bradford continued to throw everything at the Valiants and in injury-time, Carl McHugh headed home to finally end Vale’s resistance. It was the first goal that the Vale defence had conceded in 290 minutes and rough justice for Vale’s valiant backline.
Vale: Neal, Yates, Grimmer, Davis, Dickinson, Loft, Griffith, Lines, Jones, Williamson (Hugill), Pope
Subs: Johnson, Birchall, Dodds, Myrie-Williams, Tomlin, Knott
Attendance: 12,106 (220 away)