QPR 1, Bradford City 3; Match Report by Richard Sutcliffe.

This was an afternoon which every Bradford City fan who made the trip to London will remember for a very long time.

Around 1,800 fans had travelled south more in hope than expectation that their side could wrestle control of the race for automatic promotion from main rivals Ipswich.

The Suffolk side were not only three points clear of City with just three games remaining, but also at home to bottom club Crewe. City, in contrast, had to make the difficult trip to QPR with the home side needing just one more victory to seal safety.

Ipswich were clearly in control of their own destiny going into the weekend's games, but a surprise 2-1 defeat at home by Crewe allowed City to leapfrog over the Suffolk side into second place.

Before Saturday Ipswich had lost just two league games since January 16, but on both occasions City had failed to take advantage due to defeats against Sunderland and Huddersfield. However all that changed in 90 glorious minutes which will live long in the memory.

Goals from Peter Beagrie and Ashley Westwood set up City's first ever league victory at Loftus Road before Gordon Watson's superb late strike killed off Rangers' hopes which had been lifted by Kevin Gallen's 79th minute goal.

It was the news from Portman Road, however, which caused the most joyous scenes in the away enclosure when both Crewe goals were marked with celebrations worthy of a cup final victory as fans hugged each other and punched the air.

For the first time in months, City had taken advantage of a rare Ipswich slip and the fans' reactions illustrated that promotion is now within touching distance.

This was a victory which was again built on City's resilience and strength of character. They certainly were not at their best going forward where, despite some impressive passing, chances were few and far between.

In fact, neither Robbie Blake nor Lee Mills enjoyed much success up front against a resolute Rangers defence while only Stuart McCall and Peter Beagrie looked on top of their games in midfield.

However, despite several City players not hitting top gear in attack, there was no doubting how badly they wanted to win this game such was the wholehearted way they threw themselves into tackles and attempts at blocking shots.

Jewell is rightly receiving praise for the job he has done at Valley Parade and perhaps his most successful achievement so far is the tremendous team spirit engendered at Valley Parade.

This was vividly illustrated by Darren Moore after the final whistle. Rested by Paul Jewell for what the big defender admits has been a dip in form, Moore was delighted after seeing City win.

He also spoke emotionally of how he had a headache from the tension he had been feeling while sat in the stand heading away every clearance in his own mind.

As hard as the side battled all afternoon, City's real heroes were at the back with Gary Walsh outstanding in goal and both Ashley Westwood and John Dreyer, making a welcome return to the side, taking the eye with their ability to read the game.

Westwood's late dismissal spoiled an otherwise fine afternoon for the defender, but it did not prevent the fans celebrating the final whistle in fine fashion as the full implications of their side's victory and Ipswich's defeat sunk in.

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