OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, BRADFORD CITY 2
It was an afternoon to forget as 10-man Oldham Athletic suffered their first defeat of the season in Sky Bet League One.
What made it even worse was that Jonathan Forte, last season’s top scorer, was sent off in the opening half against Bradford City at SportsDirect.com Park.
Forte now faces a three match enforced lay off to add to Latics’ woes as they are already without summer signing Jake Cassidy.
Reece Burke gave the Bantams a first-half lead which was doubled by debutant Devante Cole after the restart.
Joseph Mills pulled a goal back for Latics near the end, but it was too little, too late following a miserable afternoon.
Manager Darren Kelly made six changes from the midweek defeat at Shrewsbury Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with new loan signing Eoghan O’Connell handed a debut.
The Bantams had the first chance of the game when Josh Morris forced a decent save from Latics’ keeper Joel Coleman who tipped it around the post.
Latics also began brightly with Jonathan Burn having a goalbound shot blocked and Mike Jones’ free kick was kept out by visiting keeper Ben Williams.
Central-defender Burke gave the Bantams the lead midway through the opening period, albeit controversially as Coleman looked to be fouled when a free kick was whipped into the penalty area.
The ball fell to Burke, who is on loan from West Ham, to slot into an empty net to the delight of the 1,665 visiting fans.
Latics’ prospects were dealt a blow when Forte was sent off after 30 minutes after an alleged headbutt on Stephen Darby.
Bradford had chances to increase their lead as Billy Knott fired narrowly wide from 30 yards before a header from James Hanson was brilliantly kept out by Coleman.
Latics brought on Rhys Turner for Timothee Dieng for the second half as they needed more attacking options.
Danny Philliskirk, pushed into a more advanced role, shot over the crossbar while David Dunn also had an effort well saved by Williams who also foiled former Bantam Williams.
Not long after the hour mark, the Bantams doubled their lead when Knott set up Cole who brust clear to slot the ball low past Coleman.
The second goal deflated City as Bradford dictated play.
Latics brought on Rhys Murphy with 20 minutes left and he headed over before Mills halved the deficit with eight minutes left when he headed home a cross from Yeates.
Murphy had a header saved by Williams while Carl Winchester curled an effort just wide, but Latics never seriously threatened an equaliser as the Bantams returned home over the M62 with three precious points.