Bradford picked up their first victory of the season after winning 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller at Cheltenham.

Bantams win nine-goal thriller at Whaddon Road

Bradford picked up their first victory of the season after winning 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller at Cheltenham. James O'Brien slammed in the first for the Bantams from the edge of the penalty area after good work from Gareth Evans in the second minute, but Cheltenham hit back through Elvis Hammond's third of the season two minutes later. Evans scored a fine solo effort in the seventh minute as Bradford regained the lead, but Michael Townsend headed in David Hutton's free-kick to make it 2-2 after 12 minutes. James Hanson leapt highest to head in O'Brien's corner after 20 minutes, but Cheltenham responded once again when Justin Richards netted a fine overhead kick shortly before half-time. Steve Williams made it 4-3 in the 50th minute after a flick-on from Hanson and Simon Ramsden's header from O'Brien's free-kick deflected in off Townsend to give Bradford a two-goal advantage in the 71st minute. Richards then stabbed home his second in the 89th minute, but Stuart McCall's side held on to inflict Cheltenham's first league defeat of the campaign.