CITY got back to winning ways to get up and running in the league under Graham Alexander.

T&A chief sports writer SIMON PARKER watched the Bantams beat Accrington at a chilly Valley Parade and provides the match stats and his player ratings.

MAN OF THE MATCH

It was a dogged display across the board from City and nobody summed that up more than the non-stop Alex Gilliead. Ciaran Kelly also had a strong game at the back.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Tyler Smith made it look easy but the finish for his winning goal was anything but. It was the touch of a striker playing with confidence.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

You certainly felt the plunging temperature during an uninspiring and cagey first half but things warmed up considerably for City after the break.

TACTICS

Harry Lewis, Alex Gilliead and Jamie Walker all returned to the side that thumped Barnsley 5-1 in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Jon Tomkinson was on the bench after his international game-time with the USA Olympic team.

REFEREE: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)

BOOKINGS: Smith, Taylor, Chapman (City); Hills, Shipley, Rich-Baghuelou, Whalley (Accrington)

ATTENDANCE: 16,548

SHOTS ON TARGET: City 2 Accrington 3

SHOTS OFF TARGET: City 9 Accrington 9

CORNERS: City 5 Accrington 3

FOULS: City 15 Accrington 16

PLAYER RATINGS

CITY: Lewis 6, Halliday 7, Platt 7, Taylor 7, Kelly 8 (Stubbs 88min), Richards 7, Smallwood 7, Gilliead 8, Walker 7, Smith 7 (Chapman 81min), Cook 7. Subs (not used): Oliver, Osadebe, Oduor, Tomkinson, Doyle.

ACCRINGTON: McCracken 6, Lowe 6, Hills 6, Rich-Baghuelou 7, Shipley 6, Conneely 6 (B Woods 81min), Nolan 5 (Whalley 46min, 6), Longelo 6 (J Woods 89min), Leigh 6, Andrews 6, Adedoyin 6. Subs (not used): Mellor, Gubbins, Henderson, McIntyre.