Bantams bounce back at Doncaster to claim sixth straight win

MAD Friday threw up nothing out of the ordinary as ruthless City came from behind to maintain their remarkable winning run.

The Bantams made it a merry Christmas for the fans, who travelled in force to witness a sixth successive victory.

It now represents their best run for nearly 30 years since a seven-game winning streak spanning the end of one season and beginning of the next in 1994.

Andy Cook struck twice and claimed an assist for Tyler Smith as City made it four in a row in the league.

But the celebrations were marred by pyrotechnics being thrown on after the two second-half goals.

Ryan East’s permanent switch to Rochdale for an undisclosed fee had been announced ahead of the game – the first exit of several expected over the coming transfer window to trim numbers.

Alexander admits it has been his toughest challenge to keep the whole City squad onside while naming such a settled starting line-up.

The Bantams boss picked the same 11 for the third successive game, although there was one alteration to the bench where Ash Taylor replaced Sam Stubbs after serving his one-game suspension.

City’s travelling army were in full voice from the off – but it was the home fans cheering the first goal on seven minutes.

There seemed little danger when Brad Halliday knocked a back pass for Harry Lewis to the right of the penalty area.

But the keeper took too long to clear and Joe Ironside closed him down quickly to smother the kick.

The Doncaster striker still had a lot to do from such a tight angle but he curled the ball clinically into the empty net.

It was just the start Rovers needed after being thumped 5-0 by Morecambe in their previous home game and got the fans straight back onside.

City had not conceded a league goal since that dreadful first half at Notts County a month ago and looked to fashion a quick response, Matty Platt heading over a decent chance from Richie Smallwood’s free-kick.

But it was all a bit scrappy and frenetic. The visitors had plenty of the ball but had not been able to test recalled keeper Ian Lawlor making his first league start in over three months.

That all changed on 27 minutes as Cook headed the equaliser from Jamie Walker’s deep corner, rising highest to nod through a crowded six-yard box.

With the travelling noise pumped up again, Alex Gilliead’s snap-shot was palmed away by Lawlor.

Tyler Smith has his eyes on the prize with City's second goal (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

Doncaster responded with a flurry of four corners and Jack Senior’s in-swinging delivery had to be defended carefully.

But it was City who got their noses in front as half-time approached.

Cook turned provider this time, wriggling out of a tight spot past two markers with a delicious reverse pass to play in Smith, whose finish from inside the box matched the set-up as it curled into the far corner.

Two flares were thrown from the away end in the celebrations and there was a lengthy hold-up for the smoke to clear before the game could resume.

Unfortunately, it was the type of incident that could have repercussions for the club when included in the referee’s report. Why do it?

There was the first sign of dissent among the home punters at the start of the second half as the wall of noise from the far end continued.

City were hunting a third goal to give them that breathing space and Doncaster were pinned in their own territory for a lengthy period.

Jamie Walker, looking to score for a third consecutive away game, was not far off after nicking the ball off Tommy Rowe. His low angled shot flashed past the far post.

Ben Close fired a bouncing effort wide at the other end but it was no threat to Lewis.

Unfortunately, Walker was forced off on 70 minutes after a strong challenge from Senior, which earned the first booking. The Scot hobbled away to be replaced by Alex Pattison – being loudly serenaded by the away end as he trudged around the perimeter.

The fans had not let up all evening as City closed in on another three points.

And the team made sure with a slickly-worked third with five minutes left. A neat interchange of passes involving Brad Halliday and Gilliead cut open the home defence with Cook supplying the killer touch from 12 yards.