Clarke sees off Athletic

CONOR WILKINSON: Had a good chance to score for Athletic.

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BRADFORD 2, ATHLETIC 0

TWO Billy Clarke goals put an end to Athletic's mini-revival under Dean Holden, after a scrappy tussle ended in favour of the powerful West Yorkshire outfit.

Clarke flicked home from close range in the 72nd minute after a Billy Knott corner was headed back across goal and into the danger zone.

And he fired in a second in added time as Athletic pushed men forward vainly trying to find an opening that simply would not arrive.

Conor Wilkinson and Mat Sadler went close, but Athletic were second-best on the day.

Athletic made one change to their starting line-up, with Wilkinson back in the side in place of injured two-goal derby hero Rhys Turner.

The on-loan Bolton striker could have put the visitors a goal up in the fourth minute. Slipped in down the right side of the area, he cut inside and fired wastefully wide with his favoured left foot.

Joel Coleman was forced to back-pedal and palm out a dipping 25-yard shot from Clarke and James Hanson headed over the top with a far-post header as the home side hit back in a lively opening.

Jon Stead spun to put in a low delivery which passed untouched across the six-yard box and Gary Liddle was off-target with a shot on the stretch as the home team ended the half the stronger.

Wilkinson fired over when a ball dropped between him and Winchester as Holden's side enjoyed pressure near the start of the second period.

Sadler forced a diving save from Ben Williams, too, but when the goal arrived it came from a corner conceded by Anthony Gerrard as he slipped under little pressure on a tough pitch. And Holden won't be happy with the way that before Clarke pounced, Bradford players won four straight challenges inside the area.

Athletic, despite a raft of attacking substitutions, could not get going up front.

And when Clarke shaped a right-footed shot beyond Coleman's grasp in added time, it signalled a first defeat in three outings.