Bantams sink 10-man Oxford

Goals from acting skipper Craig Fagan and substitute James Hanson helped Bradford beat 10-man Oxford 2-1 at Valley Parade.

The Bantams had a shout for a penalty in the fifth minute when Rob Kozluk's long throw was flicked on by Fagan. Defender Michael Duberry tried to head the ball clear, but it hit Damian Batt on the hand and rebounded on to the post. Batt then cleared off the line after Nahki Wells followed up to shoot. There were more escapes for Oxford in the ninth minute when goalkeeper Ryan Clarke saved Wells' shot and Will Atkinson's follow-up. The visitors went down to 10 men six minutes before half-time when Batt, who was earlier booked for a foul on Kyel Reid, was sent off after a second offence against the Bradford winger. Bradford took advantage in the 56th minute when defender Marcel Seip was brought down by Andrew Whing as the Oxford defence struggled to clear a corner and Fagan scored from the penalty spot. They increased their lead after 67 minutes when Reid seized on keeper Jon McLaughlin's clearance and broke away down the left before crossing for Hanson to score with a downward header. However, play-off contenders Oxford pulled a goal back five minutes later when Whing played the ball back for Asa Hall to score with a 20-yard shot, but Bradford held on for their first home win of 2012.