Valley of heartache

After watching his Bradford City side slip to a cruel defeat in a pulsating West Yorkshire derby, Paul Jewell captured the mood perfectly.

The Bantams had produced another excellent home performance where they dominated Leeds for long periods, and yet it was United who took the points thanks to a double strike by Michael Bridges.

City were certainly unlucky to come away with no points, and the disappointment was etched all over Jewell's face when he appeared at the post-match press conference.

And when Jewell was asked if his side had suffered any further injuries in a robust derby clash, the City boss thought for a while before replying: "There are no new injuries, just a few broken hearts in our dressing room."

The Bantams had every right to feel broken-hearted after giving everything only to lose not only the game, but their nine-game unbeaten run at Valley Parade.

Bridges twice took advantage of some poor defending, but apart from a fizzing shot from David Hopkin and a dreadful miss from Alan Smith, Neville Southall had a quiet afternoon while becoming the oldest player to turn out for City.

The Bantams had looked a little overawed by the occasion in the opening stages, and it was no surprise when Leeds went ahead after just 12 minutes.

Leeds had clearly decided to test Southall by pumping deep crosses to the far post as often as they could.

So when United won a free-kick on the City right, Ian Harte swung a fantastic cross towards the back post and Southall remained rooted to his line as Bridges found the net.

Bridges impressed hugely in the early phases with his intelligent running which saw him create space away from City defender Andy O'Brien. The opening goal was a just reward for his enterprising play.

And that lead should have been doubled just eight minutes later when a quick move saw Stephen McPhail get behind Gunnar Halle before picking out Smith with a low centre.

However, despite Southall being out of position and just one defender on the line, the talented teenager managed to push the ball wide of the target.

And it was that let-off which galvanised City into action, and the remainder of the first half belonged to Jewell's men.

City did what they do best - hassling and harrying their opponents out of their stride, and all of a sudden it was Leeds who were on the back foot.

Peter Beagrie twice went close to grabbing an equaliser, while Dean Windass nodded over after David Wetherall's downward header had caught out the Leeds defence.

And then in the space of a minute, City had what looked like two legitimate appeals for a penalty turned down.

Firstly Dean Saunders burst into the penalty area before going down under a challenge from McPhail, but referee Paul Durkin waved play on.

And then when Beagrie swung over an inviting corner, Wetherall was grappled to the ground by Leeds captain Lucas Radebe, but again the official ruled no offence had taken place.

Jewell would not be drawn into criticising the referee after the game, saying: "We are not at the bottom of the table because of the referees."

City's much improved display in the run-up to half-time was a direct result of them taking control of midfield.

Skipper Stuart McCall again led from the front against the team he supported as a boy while Jamie Lawrence was at his tenacious best.

Beagrie also roamed both flanks during that first half with his tricky skills causing untol problems for both full backs Gary Kelly and Ian Harte.

Leeds came out for the second half in a much more determined mood and they doubled their lead after 63 minutes thanks to some cool play by Smith.

The teenager collected the ball with his back to goal and as Southall tried to close him down, Smith turned and rolled the ball across the face of goal for Bridges to fire into the roof of the net.

It was a cool piece of finishing from Bridges, who was Leeds' best attacking threat throughout the afternoon.

However Leeds boss David O'Leary said of his top scorer: "He is a wonderful talent but he drives me mad.

"He gives the ball away too much but he has got some great goals and hopefully if he keeps listening to me he will go on to become a great player."

Jewell responded by going for all-out attack with Jorge Cadete and Robbie Blake being thrown on and City hit back when Beagrie delivered a wonder goal it set up a thrilling final 15 minutes.

Wetherall was pushed forward into midfield and City looked destined to grab an equaliser and dent Leeds' title bids.

However City's wasteful nature in front of goal - a problem all afternoon which was illustrated by them having just three on-target efforts - meant United held on for three precious points.

Jewell said: "We battled away and played some decent stuff at times. I thought we were the better side, but when we look at the League table tomorrow we haven't got any more points. I am proud to be their manager.

"Our problem was we didn't hit the target enough when in good positions. And at 2-1, I really thought we were going to get the goal we needed.

"But if the lads continue to perform like that until the end of the season I think we will be okay. What we have to do now is go to Coventry next week and bounce back."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.