OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, BRADFORD CITY 1.
Oldham Athletic’s latest success lifted them into the play-off places in Sky Bet League One.
Goals from Jonathan Forte – his 11th of the season – and Mike Jones helped defeat Bradford City and extend the unbeaten run to 13 games in league and cup.
It is a far cry to the start of the season when Latics couldn’t buy a win and the bookies had them as one of the favourites to be related.
Forte was declared fit while Carl Winchester returned for James Dayton, the one change from the side which kicked off against Coventry City in midweek.
Just as happened in midweek, Latics got off to a flyer as Forte gave them a seventh-minute lead. Joseph Mills crossed from the left, Jabo Ibehre nodded the ball down and Forte stabbed the ball home.
Bradford could have equalised, but Paul Rachubka saved well to deny Mark Yeates
Latics doubled their advantage midway through the opening period when Winchester won the ball and released Jones who fired home from the edge of the box.
Forte almost scored a second goal, but he was denied by a smart save from Jordan Pickford who also did well to tip over a 35-yard shot from Liam Kelly.
Bradford halved the deficit just before the break when Andrew Halliday was afforded the space to volley low past Rachubka.
Latics did not allow the setback to knock them out of their stride as Forte and Danny Philliskirk had chances to add a third goal early in the second period.
Forte had yet another chance only for Pickford to save the day once again for the visitors.
Bradford remained a threat as former Latics’ loanee Alan Sheehan brought a smart save from Rachubka as they sensed a way back into the game.
But their hopes of a draw were dash in stoppage time when defender Rory McArdle was sent off for a second bookable offence for a foul on Ibehre.