Graham Alexander happy with Bradford’s win over Peterborough

Graham Alexander said Bradford’s 2-0 win over Peterborough was a reward for “banging on the door”.

Bradford had to wait until the second half to turn their control of the game at Valley Parade into goals from Macaulay Gillesphey and Nick Powell.

Manager Alexander said: “I thought the performance was really strong all the way through the game. The intensity that we played at was excellent.

“We could have taken the lead in the first half, hit the woodwork twice and had a few other opportunities flashing across the goal.

“We had to make sure that defensively we were strong, because they’ve got a lot of attacking talent throughout their team.

“But I said at half-time that we have to keep this intensity up. We have to keep banging the door.

“It’s difficult for the opponent to stand up to it and I thought we did that all the way through the game.

“It’s important for us to understand not everything’s going to go our way all the time. There’s going to be a little bit of frustration sometimes or disappointment in the lack of end product.

“But as long as we keep the game strong and never lose heart, that will build up our resilience to seeing games through.”

Callum Connolly smacked the bar from 25 yards and Gillesphey’s header was bundled onto the woodwork in a one-sided first half.

Gillesphey headed Bradford in front from Connolly’s corner after 54 minutes. Harry Leonard went close for Peterborough before substitute Powell sealed the points for the home side.

Peterborough were reduced to 10 men when centre-half David Okagbue was shown a second yellow card for a high boot on Connolly.

Peterborough manager Luke Williams said: “There was no malice and it wasn’t a discipline thing.

“He’s just trying to flick the ball, but he’s a big guy and his foot was high.

“It was tough against a very good side and we weren’t able to really get control of the game.

“I think for the most part we competed pretty well, but we lost too many duels.

“There was an error from a set-piece which meant they got the first foothold in the game and I don’t think we were able to be enough of a threat to get back in it.”

Peterborough gave a start to former Manchester United winger Ethan Williams – one of three signings announced on Thursday.

The Posh manager added: “He looks like a talented player and direct. He tried to go past people and wanted to be a goal threat.

“It was also good to get Liam Kelly some minutes. He’s a really good player who really understands the game.

“Obviously, we’re down to 10 men for some of that period that he’s on, so it is difficult against a really tough opposition.”