Matt Clarke returned to haunt Bradford City with a stunning solo display at Selhurst Park.

Matt Clarke returned to haunt Bradford City Matt Clarke returned to haunt Bradford City with a stunning solo display at Selhurst Park last night.

He pulled off three superb saves as City lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace on a night of total frustration for the visitors who had dominated the match.

Ashley Ward hit a post but Clarke's one-man exhibition somehow made it four losses in five games for Jim Jefferies and his mystified men.

Clarke said: "A lot of people have been building this game up but I've got no point to prove to Jim Jefferies or anybody. You speak to most of the Bradford lads and I got on great up there.

"It's always nice to keep a cleansheet but obviously being against your old team it's that bit more special. I had a good crack with their players out there and luckily for me it was one of those nights when everything worked out.

"We only had a couple of chances and stuck them away but Bradford didn't with theirs. It might be a different story at Valley Parade next time."

Jefferies was scratching his head at how City could boss so much of the game and yet end up with another demoralising defeat.

He said: "Matt Clarke won the game for Crystal Palace with some unbelievable saves. How he got to the header from David Wetherall I don't know.

"Gary Walsh was virtually a spectator at the other end. The only time he touched the ball second half was to pick it out of the net.

"The game was a travesty and Crystal Palace will be wondering how they got all three points having been outplayed. I just hope we play as well as that in our next away game at Birmingham on Saturday and hopefully get a bit of luck for a change."

Benito Carbone was dropped to the bench as Jefferies played three centre-halves for the first time this season.

He said: "Away from home in that system we felt that Beni is a bit of a luxury at times. Palace play the same way as Watford did last week and it didn't work out for him then. Beni has been playing in every game and we wanted to try something different. He took it fine because he knows that is what a squad is for."