Soccer
Bradford back to winning ways with victory at home to Mansfield
Bradford returned to winning ways after consecutive defeats by beating Mansfield 1-0 at Valley Parade.
Mansfield had conceded five goals in their previous game at Reading but created the first chance, with Michael Smith’s header well kept out by Jon McCracken.
The visitors had to change goalkeepers just before kick-off with Harry Lewis replacing Liam Roberts.
Lewis, who used to play for the Bantams, saved from Callum Connolly and Adam Phillips.
Bradford went ahead in the 18th minute when Jake Beesley won the battle for Josh Neufville’s cross and Antoni Sarcevic acrobatically hooked home.
Lewis denied his former club with further blocks from Bobby Pointon and Phillips. But Smith shot straight at McCracken with a good chance late in the half for Mansfield.
The Stags brought on strikers David McGoldrick and Rhys Oates for the second half and offered more threat.
McGoldrick shot over the crossbar within minutes of coming on and they thought they had equalised when Smith headed in from close range from a free-kick but referee Zac Kennard-Kettle gave a foul against him on McCracken.
