Peter Jackson celebrated a dramatic first win as City boss and joked: That should get me on the bus to Morecambe.
Tom Adeyemi’s disputed goal in stoppage time sunk Rotherham and made it a memorable return to Valley Parade for the club’s former skipper.
It was a controversial effort as the ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced back into play. But referee Grant Hegley awarded the goal after consulting an assistant.
Jackson said: “I couldn’t see from the dugout but all that matters was the scoreline. It capped off an unbelievable day and an unbelievable week for me.
“It takes the pressure off when you get that first win as manager and it was a big scalp against a team who have been in the top five all season.
“We’ve been a bit negative this season but I told the players to have a go and they did that.
“We should have put more goals away and I’m disappointed with the missed chances. Speighty (Jake Speight) could have scored five on another night.
“But the determination was there to see and I’m very proud to be manager of the club on that performance.
“I’m hoarse and I’m tired but I can’t wait to get back to work. It’s only the start but hopefully that’s the beginning of a long career at Bradford City for me.
“At least that has guaranteed a place on the bus to Morecambe (on Saturday)!”
Right back Lewis Hunt had been the unlikely scorer of the first goal of Jackson’s reign, although City’s lead was snuffed out before half-time by Marcus Marshall.
Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore was fuming that Adeyemi’s winning strike in the first minute of added time was given.
Moore said: “It was cruel. I thought (the assistant referee) had given offside. How could he possibly see if the ball had gone over the line?
“It was a massive decision. How we’ve not come away with a win, let alone lost the game, is beyond me.”
Jackson will be joined today by former Middlesbrough number two Colin Cooper as his assistant. Cooper, who won two England caps as a player, watched the game from the press box.
Jackson said: “That’s another positive for everyone. We’re all in and there are more exciting things happening.
“I want my players to enjoy coming in to training and enjoy playing.
“This is the biggest club in this division by far and a lot of responsibility comes with that. They have to cope with that.”
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