Goals from Darren Purse, Stern John and Geoff Horsfield ended a run of three
games without a win for Birmingham at Valley Parade.
Bradford midfielder Eoin Jess scored on the stroke of half-time to give the
home side hope, but they failed to take their chances after the break and were
made to pay as Blues wrapped up the points.
Birmingham, buoyed by a superb comeback in a 2-2 draw against Wolves on
Saturday, scored the opening goal with the first real chance of the evening.
An outswinging corner from Martin Grainger was flicked on by Tommy Mooney, and
defender Purse slammed the ball home from close range.
Bradford, who had lost their last three matches, responded, with Lee Sharpe
forcing Nico Vaesen into a diving stop after nine minutes.
Paul Devlin, who today extended his loan deal from Sheffield United for a
further month, came close to adding a second for the visitors in the 12th
minute.
John was brought down on the edge of the area by Gunnar Halle, and Devlin
floated the resulting free-kick over the wall, but into the arms of Alan Combe.
Former Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri, who has failed to find the net for
the Bantams since his debut goal against Gillingham, was guilty of wasting two
chances in quick succession.
His first after 15 minutes went wide, while he fired a second effort over the
crossbar two minutes later as the home side pushed forward in search of an
equaliser.
Eoin Jess almost levelled matters in the 26th minute. Sharpe's corner came out
to the midfielder, but his drilled effort was well held by Vaesen.
Bradford were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Blues extended
their lead in the 31st minute.
Jeff Kenna's purposeful run ended in a fierce shot which looped up and fell
kindly for John to score his third goal for Birmingham with an overhead kick
from six yards.
The visitors almost made the game safe just two minutes later, but Devlin's
shot was caught by Combe.
Bradford lost midfielder Gareth Whalley with an injury in the 44th minute - he
was replaced by Juanjo - and just a minute after his introduction, the Bantams
were back in the game.
Stuart McCall cushioned a header into the path of Jess, and he flashed the
ball into the top corner for his 13th goal of the season.
The second half started quietly, with Cadamarteri's 54th-minute shot the first
real opening.
Birmingham lost recent signing Damien Johnson through injury in the 58th
minute, with Stan Lazaridis coming on, as the home side began to look more
threatening.
Cadamarteri was unlucky not to score after 65 minutes, as his goalbound effort
was blocked by Purse.
Horsfield came on to replace Mooney in the 69th minute, and 12 minutes later
he sealed the points for Birmingham on the counter-attack.
A short backpass by the Bantams' Wayne Jacobs was intercepted by the striker
and he slid the ball home for his ninth of the season.
Teams
Bradford: Combe, Halle, Whalley (Juanjo 44), Bower, Jacobs,
Lawrence, Jess, McCall, Sharpe, Cadamarteri, Jorgensen.
Subs Not Used: Grant, Tod, Lee, Worsnop.
Goals: Jess 45.
Birmingham: Vaesen, Kenna, Purse, Michael Johnson, Grainger,
Damien Johnson (Lazaridis 58), Hughes, Carter, Devlin,
Mooney (Horsfield 69), John (Eaden 79).
Subs Not Used: Davis, Tommy Williams.
Booked: Devlin, Horsfield.
Goals: Purse 6, John 31, Horsfield 82.
Att: 13,105
Ref: G Cain (Bootle).
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