Bradford 2 Shrewsbury Town 0 - Report and pictures

[gallery] Shrewsbury Town were unfortunate to not take anything from a bouncing Bradford City as life after Micky Mellon began, writes Lewis Cox at Valley Parade.

Analysis

If you were searching for encouragement post Micky Mellon then the first-half wasn't for you - but Salop showed grit and could've stolen a point on another day at high-flying Bradford City.

For the Town performance given in the first 45 minutes was fitting of their underwhelming season so far.

Hosts Bradford were scintillating for most of the first period, sharp, incise, confident, positive - everything that Shrewsbury Town.

The visitors conceded a sloppy goal, deserved on the balance of play, and looked nowhere near offering anything in return during the first period.

In fact, the very manner of the goal summed up the feeling of recent weeks, straight from an Ivan Toney free-kick. They broke, capitalised from Joe Riley's error, a number of rebounds, and finished well.

But Shrewsbury came out a different side in the second period, hassling, pressuring, more assured with their passes, looking ready to chink Bradford's unbeaten armour.

Antoni Sarcevic led most of it, a feather in his cap, having come on at the break. While George Waring, making his first League One start, offered a presence up top.

Salop huffed and puffed, couldn't quite profit from encouraging moments, and Bradford survived - by the skin of their teeth at times.

The second goal, a spot-kick in added time, won't mean much. But Salop showed encouraging signs to any potential managerial suitors here.

Moments

6 - First shot of note as Ian Black lashes a snapshot wide from 25-yards.

18 - The hosts fashion their first chance of note, ball from right-back Stephen Darby picks out Tim Dieng and his shot is claimed by Jayson Leutwiler.

19 - Better from Jim O'Brien, the Scot receives ball in a tight area, turns well and it bundled down - Ivan Toney stands over free-kick 25-yards out.

21 - GOAL Bradford. Nicky Law. Oh dear. Toney's effort goes straight into the wall and the hosts break at pace. Salop looked to have cleared the danger but Joe Riley shanks a clearance to a Bantam man. Cross comes in, clearance leads to a pinball session and Law is on hand to coolly slot finish beyond Leutwiler.

23 - Danny Coyne's men are creaking, intricate stuff from Filipe Morais who jinks beyond a couple - far too easily - because dribbling a shot past the keeper, only for Grimmer to save the day on the line.

28 - Swiss keeper Leutwiler struggling somewhat, cannot claim simple free-kick, Marshall turns him and a dinked cross is cleared from the line by Riley.

41 - Bradford have been comfortably on top but not created too much. Better from Salop, Toney feeds Riley on right flank, cross his met by George Waring - decent header flies just wide.

50 - Salop came out better in the second period, Riley's dinked free-kick picks out Adam El-Abd, the skipper's header falls for Abu Ogogo who can only volley over first time.

55 - The visitors' first shot in targets comes courtesy of Ian Black. Midfielder really tries to get his side going and good strike from 30-yards tests Colin Doyle centrally.

56 - Big let off for the hosts, ball ricochets in the box and clearly hits the arm of Stephen Darby. Coyne's Salop should have a spot-kick.

60 - Almost the moment former Salop favourite Nat Knight-Percival dreamt about but he couldn't connect properly with a Morais corner and it flies over.

68 - Antoni Sarcevic has made a real difference since coming on at the break and, oh my, what a strike! Toney's cushioned header falls for the midfielder and his 30-yard volley whistles inches over.

78 - Sarcevic has it in the net for the second time in a week but for the second time it is ruled out for offside. Toney delays pass a little too much, nice composure on finish.

90+1 - Riley is unlucky, patient build-up ends with a Mat Sadler cross but the right wing-back arrows a header just wide after generating good power.

90+4 - Bradford goal. Sub Haris Vuckic with it from the spot. Sarcevic fouled his man but time was pretty much anyway. Good penalty.