Clarke sparks Bantams fightback

ByPA Sport Report

Published 09/11/2014 at 14:18 GMT

Substitute Billy Clarke inspired a second-half fightback as Bradford came from behind to win 2-1 and deny West Yorkshire rivals Halifax an FA Cup upset.

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Clarke laid on goals for Jon Stead and Filipe Morais within 10 minutes of his half-time introduction as Bradford ended a five-match winless streak.

Lois Maynard had earlier put the Shaymen in front after three minutes to raise hopes of a shock win, turning in Paul Marshall's corner.

The goal was punishment for a sloppy start by the League One side - typified by Alan Sheehan's wild backpass which went straight out after just 34 seconds.

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And it could have been worse for Bradford too, Maynard's header from Marshall's hanging cross on 34 minutes saved superbly at point-blank range by Ben Williams.

Scott Boden, unmarked, then missed a great opportunity on 40 minutes, shooting over when Richard Peniket's low cross ran through the area.

The misses proved costly too, with Clarke's half-time introduction pivotal.

First Stead took the new arrival's perfectly-weighted through ball into his stride and rounded Glennon to equalise on 50 minutes.

Three minutes later Clarke's cross found Morais, who fired in low across goal for what proved to be the winner.

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