Imps recover from awful first half to beat Bradford

Lincoln City came one goal down to beat Bradford City at Valley Parade. The Imps had an awful first half, arguably the worst since Steve Tilson took over, but goals from Delroy Facey and Gavin McCallum gave City a fourth win in a row.

The Imps got things on the way but were quickly on the backfoot and despite clearing an early Richard Eckersley free kick, the Imps fell behind earlier Syers easily beat Hoyte on the left and crossed the ball to Hanson, who poked home at the back post to give Bradford the early lead, something which they had achieved at their win at Sincil Bank a month ago.

Lincoln tried for a quick equaliser but McCallum's effort from out wide well well wide of the target. Hone did well to deny Hanson a header on goal from a Luke O'Brien cross before Shane Duff headed a corner wide. Syers tested Carson from close range before Facey volleyed high into the stands from the 18 yard area. Howell, who wasn't having the best game, almost caused a brawl after a clash with Omar Daley, but fortunately Howell kept his cool and just walked past an irate Daley.

City's best chance of the game so far came from a free kick that Howell put into the box and debutant Kanyuka well volleyed over from less than a yard, it summed up a poor debut for the new signing. He was dispossessed by Adeyemi before the Bradford man hit a shot just over the bar.

Despite being second best for most of the first half, the Imps went into the break level when Howell and Hoyte worked well on the right for the latter to swing a cross into the box and an unmarked Delroy Facey headed home for his third goal of the season. Duff headed wide for the final chance of the first half.

After a poor display, Kanyuka was taken off at half time and replaced by Fuseini, himself making his debut.

Josh O'Keefe had the first effort of the second half but he was denied by a low save from McLaughlin before McCallum shot wide from left. Bradford wasted a dangerous looking free kick when Evans hit it straight at the wall before one of the game's controversial incidents. McCallum picked the ball up on the left and smashed it across goal, it went well wide but the referee strangely gave a corner, that despite the ball clearly not touching any Bradford players.

Grimes wasted an Imps free kick as he hit it straight at the wall as Flynn came on for Worthington for the hosts. Chances weren't flowing and Steve Tilson decided to change this by replacing goalscorer Facey with Drewe Broughton, still without a goal after nearly 30 appearances for the Imps.

A minute after the substitutions came Lincoln's second goal as Grimes burst into the area after a Fuseinin pass, his shot was palmed away by McLaughlin and straight into the path of McCallum. The Canadian struck it first time and beat a recovering McLaughlin to make it 2-1 to the Imps with his second goal for the club. Daley was replaced by Cullen for the hosts before Spencer made his debut, replacing Grimes for the Imps.

Neither side had any more chances before the end of the game and City recorded a fine victory.