Cardiff had Gary Croft sent off but still went on to beat Bradford as Richard Langley's goal boosted their push for a play-off place.

Struggling Bradford's hopes of a third straight league win were lifted after 66 minutes when Croft was dismissed for a foul on Danny Cadamarteri.

But they could not make the most of their numerical advantage and when Robert Earnshaw's penalty was saved by Alan Combe, Langley was on hand to head home the rebound.

Bradford showed little sign of the form which saw them beat leaders Norwich last week, although they had made a lively start and Martyn Margetson did well to punch clear Nicky Summerbee's cross before Andy Gray fired wide from close range.

Wales striker Earnshaw - the leading scorer in the division - did not take long to pose a threat and flashed a shot wide in the 12th minute.

Gray looked dangerous for the home side and volleyed wide from 25 yards before a curling right-foot shot from a similar distance was saved by Margetson.

Langley was booked in the 21st minute for a foul on Michael Branch and, 60 seconds later, Summerbee followed him into the book for his challenge on Croft.

Peter Thorne then wasted two good opportunities in the space of a minute for Cardiff but it was turning into a scrappy affair and another foul on Branch saw Rhys Weston cautioned.

Both sides were struggling to create chances as half-time approached and Peter Atherton's ambitious effort from 35 yards was well off target and summed up the first half.

Weston shot wide early in the second half and then picked out Thorne with a cross but the striker could not keep his right-foot volley on target.

It was a similar story at the other end as Summerbee volleyed wide from Danny Cadamarteri's corner and David Wetherall failed to trouble Margetson with a header.

Bradford keeper Combe was rarely troubled, although he had to be alert to hold Thorne's 20-yard effort, but they were given a lift when Croft was shown a straight red card for a bad challenge on Cadamarteri.

Alun Armstrong volleyed wide as Bradford looked to take immediate advantage but Cardiff refused to sit back and Combe denied Earnshaw and Thorne in quick succession.

The deadlock was finally broken after 72 minutes when Simon Francis fouled Tony Vidmar in the box. Earnshaw's spot-kick was parried by Combe and Langley was first to the rebound to head home.

Gray was booked for a foul on Langley as Bradford's frustration began to grow and they threw everything forward late on but Armstrong, Gray and Wetherall were all denied.

Teams

Bradford: Combe, Francis (Emanuel 74), Wetherall, Gavin, Heckingbottom, Summerbee, Atherton, Gray, Armstrong, Cadamarteri, Branch (Muirhead 65).

Subs Not Used: Davies, Bower, Standing.

Booked: Summerbee, Gray.

Cardiff: Margetson, Weston (Whalley 86), Vidmar, Gabbidon, Croft, Langley, Boland, Kavanagh, Parry (Barker 67), Thorne, Earnshaw (Lee 75).

Subs Not Used: Campbell, Alexander.

Sent Off: Croft (66).

Booked: Langley, Weston.

Goals: Langley 72.

Att: 11,132

Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).