Managerless Bradford slid to their third defeat in a row as Carl Asaba scored both goals for their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Valley Parade.

Asaba scored both goals for the Blades, who had to withstand a sustained spell of Bradford pressure in the last half-hour before securing their victory.

Bradford, without a manager following the resignation of Jim Jefferies on Christmas Eve, fell behind after 12 minutes.

Shane Nicholson's free-kick was headed down on the edge of the penalty area by Paul Devlin, and Asaba rifled a low shot into the corner which gave goalkeeper Gary Walsh no chance.

United thoroughly deserved their lead because they had almost gone ahead in the seventh minute when Georges Santos' goalbound header was cleared off the line by Wayne Jacobs.

They continued to be the more threatening side - and it needed a brilliant save from Walsh to keep out a fierce, angled shot from Devlin in the 28th minute.

Striker Robbie Blake was Bradford's most dangerous player and he twice went close to scoring before Eoin Jess saw his free-kick turned round the post by Simon Tracey on the stroke of half-time.

Bradford, who had the misfortune to lose midfield player Gary Locke with a shin injury just before the interval, fell further behind after 54 minutes when a misunderstanding between Walsh and central defender Andy Tod gave Asaba a simple goal.

But the Bantams hit back strongly and deservedly scored after 60 minutes when Jacobs crossed for striker Ashley Ward to net from close range.

Blake almost equalised a minute later, forcing Tracey to turn away his shot for a corner - and Bradford dominated the closing stages as United defended desperately to maintain their lead.

Four Bradford players were booked - captain Stuart McCall, Locke, Ward and substitute Lee Makel - while Santos had his name taken for the Blades.

Teams:

Bradford City: Walsh, Caldwell, Molenaar, Tod, Locke (Makel 45), Jess, McCall, Etherington, Jacobs, Ward, Blake.

Subs Not Used: Sharpe, Juanjo, Grant, Worsnop.

Booked: McCall, Locke, Ward, Makel.

Goals: Ward 60.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Page, Murphy, Nicholson, Devlin, Tonge, Santos, Brown, Suffo (Montgomery 78), Asaba.

Subs Not Used: Ford, Ndlovu, Sandford, de Vogt.

Booked: Santos.

Goals: Asaba 12, 54.

Att: 18,869

Ref: M Messias (York).