Bradford City 1, Stockport County 2:

Match Comment by Richard Sutcliffe.

When Stockport's Tony Dinning converted his second penalty to seal victory with just three minutes remaining, it was most definitely not part of the script.

City had started the game with a huge sense of expectation which had been fuelled by the club's summer spending spree.

Lee Mills had become their first £1 million signing the previous day and with four fellow 'new boys' on display - including fans' favourite Stuart McCall - a victory seemed assured.

And despite only looking effective in fleeting glimpses, Peter Beagrie's 76th minute equaliser appeared to have set up a rousing finish in which either McCall or Mills, in true Boy's Own style, would grab the winner and send the City fans home with a spring in their step.

However this happy ending did not materialise and it was the visiting fans who were celebrating an unexpected victory.

The late winner came in controversial circumstances. Lee Todd appeared to be bundled to the ground by former team-mate Brett Angell on the edge of his own penalty area but the assistant refereee kept his flag down.

Todd then stuck a leg out to tackle Angell and the striker went sprawling. Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Dinning drilled the winner past Gary Walsh.

It was a cruel blow for City after their much improved second half display had justified a share of the spoils. But like so many games last season, it was the familiar lack of a cutting edge which eventually proved costly.

The Bantams' first shot on target did not arrive until the 46th minute and although they improved markedly after that, the best City could offer was a Jamie Lawrence header on to the bar and a few long range efforts.

In mitigation, County were even less threatening in the opening 45 minutes with Dinning's 37th minute penalty being their only shot on target.

The City keeper had brought Kevin Cooper down after the Stockport man had capitalised on some hesitant defending by Andy O'Brien. The teenager had a torrid afternoon along with Darren Moore. Both defenders were guilty of mis-understandings which will hopefully be ironed out in the coming weeks.

On the right of the defence Stephen Wright again impressed with his intelligent use of the ball and the Scottish international looks a real bargain capture.

In midfield, McCall was typically industrious as he tried to cajole his team-mates into action in the disappointing first half.

City were too pedestrian in the first half and by the time they had taken the ball forward, County had 11 men behind the ball. However a roasting from manager Paul Jewell brought about a more positive approach.

The Bantams showed more conviction with Peter Beagrie starting to pose a serious threat down the left in the second half.

It should also be remembered that City had nearly half a team of new faces and it will take time for them all to gel and grow used to each others' game.

Record signing Mills had not even enjoyed a training session with his new team-mates, but he showed enough to suggest a successful time ahead at Valley Parade.

The former Port Vale striker is useful in the air and also proved vital in linking attack and midfield. He also showed great determination in the 59th minute when he shook off three defenders before curling a great ball across the face of goal which Edinho just failed to connect with.

County had obviously come with a clear gameplan aimed at shackling Jamie Lawrence, City's most impressive performer in pre-season. Whenever the talented midfielder received the ball he was faced with two men although he did have the pleasure of playing a major part in City's equaliser.

He skilfully worked a ball across the County six-yard area for Gareth Whalley, who seemed destined to sweep the ball into the net when Sean Connelly scythed him down and referee Dean pointed to the spot - despite being about 35 yards behind the play at the time.

After a short delay, Beagrie stepped forward and grabbed his first goal for nearly four years before celebrating with a somersault before the joyous Kop.

At that moment the 14,360 crowd seemed set for a thrilling finale with City clear favourites to take the points, but Dinning was to break City's hearts with his late winner.

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