Bradford ease to win over fellow play-off chasers Grimsby

Bradford claimed their third victory in four games with a 3-1 win over fellow play-off chasers Grimsby.

Lewis Richards and Richie Smallwood put Bradford two goals up, with Alex Pattison notching a third after Cameron McJannet pulled one back.

The home side, who moved into the play-off places ahead of the 3pm kick-offs, had been frustrated by Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright for much of the first half.

Wright thwarted Ciaran Kelly’s close-range header then pulled off a superb double save from Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon.

He was at it again to push away Calum Kavanagh’s long-range effort as Bradford, missing injured top scorer Andy Cook, threatened the breakthrough.

But it came right on half-time when wing-back Richards converted Aden Baldwin’s to score in successive games.

Smallwood doubled Bradford’s lead with a penalty after McJannet fouled Sarcevic.

But the Grimsby centre-half made amends when he pulled one back three minutes later with a looping header from Denver Hume’s corner.

Bradford restored their two-goal lead on 69 minutes with Pattison’s driving run and shot that flew in off the post.

It is the first time that the Bantams have won four in a row at Valley Parade for four years.