Scot Gemmill scored his first goal in more than two-and-a-half years to hammer
another nail in Bradford's relegation coffin.
The Scotland midfielder, making his fifth appearance since joining on loan
from Everton, struck the decisive blow five minutes into the second half of a
game which had seemed destined to end goalless.
While Preston celebrated a first win in seven matches to keep their faint
play-off hopes alive, Bradford's battle to beat the drop is looking increasingly
futile.
They sit second from bottom of the table - 11 points adrift of safety -
although manager Bryan Robson can take solace in defeats to fellow strugglers
Derby and Gillingham.
However, the fact that Bradford lost to a goal from a player who last scored
in August 2001 will have only added to their misery.
That neither side managed to make an impression on the scoreline before the
break should come as no surprise to informed observers.
Preston were missing the suspended Ricardo Fuller and David Healy, who have
scored a combined total of 31 times this season, while Bradford's tally of 13
goals away from home is the worst in the First Division.
Nevertheless, the crowd would have not have expected to wait until the 34th
minute for the first, and only, shot on target.
Although the game was less than 60 seconds old when Bradford's Nicky Summerbee
sent a shot wide of Jonathan Gould's right-hand post, there were precious few
noteworthy incidents in the opening 10 minutes.
Lewis Emanuel did not test Gould with a left-footed effort, while Gareth Edds got his body in the way of Simon Lynch's strike at the opposite end of the
pitch.
Graham Alexander, who volleyed over the crossbar, and Richard Cresswell, with
an ambitious curler, ensured the theme of wayward finishing continued, although
Preston manager Craig Brown could take solace in the gradual improvement in his
side's fluency.
Combe was at least forced into a save just after the half hour, tipping
Alexander's long-range attempt over the crossbar, and watched Lynch's volley fly
wide seconds later.
It was somewhat fitting that one of the last acts of the first half - Edds'
shot from distance - ended up in the crowd, but it was a different story after
the interval.
Fed by Dickson Etuhu, the unmarked Gemmill took a touch before sliding the
ball under Combe. It was the first attack from either side since the restart.
Michael Branch, one of Bradford's scorers in the 2-1 win over Preston at
Valley Parade in September, sent a volley over the crossbar as the visitors went
in search of an equaliser.
Cadamarteri and Cresswell traded strikes from the edge of the penalty area,
while Preston goalkeeper Gould made his first meaningful save of the
game to deny Summerbee in the 72nd minute.
Bradford's hopes of salvaging a point effectively disappeared when Windass
headed Cadamarteri's cross over late on.
Teams
Preston Gould, Alexander, Lucketti, Davis (Edwards 60),
Michael Jackson, Broomes, McKenna, Gemmill, Etuhu, Lynch,
Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Koumantarakis, Briscoe, Keane.
Goals: Gemmill 50.
Bradford Combe, Atherton, Bower, Wetherall, Edds, Cadamarteri,
Heckingbottom, Emanuel (Wolleaston 74), Summerbee, Windass,
Branch.
Subs Not Used: Paston, Kearney, Muirhead, Forrest.
Att: 12,367
Ref: G Cain (Merseyside).
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