MATCH OF THE DAY: Bradford 1, Hereford 0

STUART McCALL had his prayers answered as Gareth Evans sealed Bradford's first win for a month.

Bantams boss McCall had seen his side struggle with two defeats and two draws making up a run of four league games without a win.

But Evans came up trumps when he turned the ball home from close range after midfielder Michael Flynn's 20-yarder bounced back off a post four minutes from half-time.

It was a deserved win by Bradford, who had two goals ruled out for offside in the second period. But they were left hanging on in the closing minutes after midfielder Lee Bullock was sent off.

McCall said: "The bottom line today was three points to keep the belief of everyone going. This was a vital win. In the first half we were in control completely but we could have made it easier for ourselves by getting a second goal."

City dominated possession but struggled to create chances in the first half.

Tricky winger Scott Neilson tested Adam Bartlett with a low strike. But the Bantams' policy of long-range shots paid off with Flynn's powerful drive leading to Evans' breakthrough.

Hereford boss John Trewick was unhappy at his side's defending, however. He rapped: "It was a bad goal from our view - our marking was less than we'd have wanted."

The first save Bradford keeper Simon Eastwood had to make was from one of his own players early in the second half.

Bantams anchorman Bullock's attempt to clear Craig King's cross had keeper Simon Eastwood back- pedalling to claw the ball away from under the crossbar.

Despite the scare, Bantams remained in control as they sought to kill off Hereford.

Chris Brandon was foiled by Bartlett, then both Neilson and James Hanson had goals ruled out.

Hanson looked certain to score with 13 minutes left when he got his head to Jonathan Bateson's cross only for Bartlett to save.

McCall said: "We scored two excellent goals given offside. When the second one was disallowed, it seemed to galvanise them. We got edgy."

Bradford were reduced to 10 men when Bullock, booked for handball in the first half, collected his second yellow after fouling Kenny Lunt in the 83rd minute.

And it took a desperate clearance by Bradford defender Luke O'Brien to stop sub Edrissa Sonko grabbing a leveller late on.

But McCall insisted ref Colin Webster got it wrong over Bullock's sending-off.

He said: "For me it's a foul but not a yellow card. Thankfully it's not cost us."

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