Bradford City leapfrogged into the second automatic promotion place in the First Division after beating relegation-threatened Portsmouth at Valley Parade.

But they may hold second place for only 24 hours because the team that they displaced, Ipswich, play Norwich in an East Anglian derby tomorrow.

This was Bradford's third win in eight days, but it was a far from convincing display.

Portsmouth were the more positive side for long periods in the match which was settled in an 11-minute spell in the first half.

Leading scorer Lee Mills put Bradford ahead after 25 minutes with his 23rd goal of the season.

Mills accepted a pass from Lee Sharpe before beating goalkeeper Alan Knight with a superb right-foot lob into the far corner of the net.

Sharpe, the former Manchester United player who is on loan from Leeds United until the end of the season, then added Bradford's second goal after 36minutes.

Winger Peter Beagrie crossed from the left and Sharpe scored with a looping header into the far corner of the net.

The goals boosted Bradford's confidence and Sharpe and Dean Windass almost added to their lead before half-time, Knight making a particularly good save to deny Windass.

Portsmouth, though, took the initiative at the start of the second half and midfielder Sammy Igoe, who Bradford tried to sign earlier in the season, was unlucky to see a 25-yard shot flash inches wide.

Igoe then beat three Bradford players before crossing to the far post where John Durnin headed the ball into the ground and it bounced over the crossbar.

But after 67 minutes Portsmouth scored the goal they deserved when left back Fitzroy Simpson kicked the ball back into the path of Durnin who sidefooted it into the net, giving keeper Gary Walsh no chance.

Portsmouth pressed hard for an equaliser in the last 10 minutes, but Bradford survived to record another important victory in their quest for promotion to the Premiership.