Darren Huckerby's 18th goal of the season and a Jon Macken debut strike sent Manchester City soaring back to the First Division summit and further shatter Bradford's fragile confidence.

Boss Kevin Keegan's side are within touching distance of an instant return to the Premiership after leapfrogging title rivals Wolves following their third victory in the space of just six tiring days.

After Huckerby had given City the lead just before half time, there was only going to be one winner, and but for a string of remarkable misses in the second period Bradford could easily have been hit for six.

But they netted just once more, with Macken - the recent £5million signing from Preston - rounding off the win in the last minute, after earlier hitting the post with his first touch for his new club.

Heaven knows what frame of mind Nicky Law's Bradford players were in when they took to the pitch as chairman Geoffrey Richmond had delived a damning indictment of their recent performances in his programme notes.

Law, in stark contrast, has been keen on the softly-softly approach, refusing to slam a threadbare, injury-hit squad so as not to damage and undermine their pride in the wake of defeats this week to Sheffield Wednesday and rock-bottom Stockport.

Richmond, though, pulled no punches, going for the jugular in an attack which will surely do more harm than good as he is vowing blood will be spilled as part of a cull at Valley Parade this summer.

"Very average footballers end their careers, in many cases millionaires secure for the rest of their days, without being able to look in the mirror and truly say they gave everything for their cause," slammed Richmond.

"The exit door is open for the vast majority of our overpaid, underachieving footballers.

"Many of them will get the shock of their lives when their present contracts end and they see the world of football will value them at a fraction of their present inflated salaries.

"I'm not prepared to stand for the type of performance and lack of commitment I have seen all too often this season. We will get it right, although blood may have to be spilled on the way.

"My challenge to every one of our footballers is to show professionalism and give 100žommitment every time they cross the white line. Anything short of that is totally unacceptable."

Bradford's display was markedly better than against either the Owls or County, but Manchester City are irrepressible these days, with no sign of their momentum slowing down as they march headlong towards the top flight.

The only remarkable aspect of this latest success was that they left the pitch with just two goals to their credit, taking their tally to 102 for the campaign.

Home goalkeeper Alan Combe, on loan until the end of the season from Dundee United, could do little about the 43rd minute opener as he was beaten by a cool finish from Huckerby following a delightful through ball from Ali Benarbia.

Combe was superb after the break, producing three fine saves to twice deny Huckerby and once Shaun Goater as the opportunities went begging, particularly as Bradford lost defensive lynchpin Andy Myers to injury shortly before the visitors hit the front.

Huckerby also struck the post when it looked easier to score just after the hour, while Goater found the sidenetting after brilliantly rounding Combe, who was ultimately beaten again in injury time.

Macken had the final say when he slotted home a rebound after Combe had been unable to hold on to a Danny Tiatto drive.