Both sides were chasing their first League Two victory this season, but it was Bradford who took the lead after five minutes with skipper James Vaughan scoring at close range at the far post.
The Oldham response saw a number of chances and the bulk of the possession, as Mohamed Maouche came closest to equalising with an unlucky shot rebounding off a post in the 21st minute.
But it was the Bantams who who went further ahead with an inspired lob from Donaldson, well out of reach for the advancing Gary Woods.
An evenly fought second half was broken as the home team secured their first win of the season with a superb shot into the far corner from Sean Scannell.
Laurent Banide had named an unchanged line up from Tuesday night's Carabou Cup game at Blackburn
Bradford City 3 - 0 Oldham Athletic
