Bradford City - 1 (Wallwork 27.)
Crystal Palace - 2 (Johnson 13. Shipperley 15.)

Crystal Palace went into this match on the back of three consecutive away wins, always assuming that we conveniently forget about the FA Cup match against Spurs, and they were looking to equal their recent record of 4 away League wins on the trot. The only time they have done better than that was way back in 1905, when they chalked up 8 consecutive away victories.

Bradford got the match underway, and the first action saw Julian Gray very much involved as he just failed to connect to a through ball from Wayne Routledge. Bradford went forward, but Gary Borrowdale did well to deny Danny Cadamarteri a shot on goal, though shortly after he did get a pass to Nicky Summerbee, the Palace defence successfully clearing the danger. Neil Shipperley was caught offside, and Alun Armstrong broke free, only to send his shot wide of the upright. Andy Johnson came down in the penalty area, but his appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears, but shortly after he was on hand to neatly place the ball under the keeper and open the scoring. It was Michael Hughes, making a welcome return to the side that made the pass that played AJ in, and the Palace fans were ecstatic, celebrating the striker's 18th goal of the season.

Summerbee then got a cross in to Armstrong, but the Bradford man failed to connect with the ball, and the chance went begging. Suddenly Palace pounced again, and this time it was Neil Shipperley who broke his long-running goal drought, as he got the end of the ball when Alan Combe spilt AJ's attempt at striking his second of the afternoon, and had the simple task of placing the ball into the back of the unprotected net.

An injury to AJ saw Julian kick the ball out of play, but he recovered shortly after to play out most of the match. Ronnie Wallwork forced Thomas Myhre, potentially making his final appearance for Palace, into a world-class save, as he dived and tipped the ball away one-handed, the resulting corner being cleared by Danny Butterfield. Gareth Farrelly fired a shot over the top of the bar from the next corner that fell to the home side, and then he wasted another chance when the ball was played into him from Wallwork. They were not to be denied for long though, and it was on loan Wallwork who got his head to a cross played in by Paul Heckingbottom, and suddenly Bradford was back in the game.

Another corner to Bradford saw Thomas do well to take the ball as the players jostled around him, and Wallwork went close again a few moments later; he really should have done better with that chance. Mind you, you will not see the Palace supporters complaining. Farrelly tried a shot from distance that went straight to the waiting keeper before Neil put in a perfect cross that Aki Riihilahti really should have done better with, his tame shot barely making it to the keeper. A goal there might well have settled things for the afternoon. Wayne made a good solo run, producing a fine save at the end by the Bradford keeper, though we did get a corner for our efforts. Michael sent the cross in, but failed to find a Palace player; we really must start doing a bit better from our set pieces.

Cadamarteri was hurt, and an enforced substitution was made as Lewis Emanuel took his place. Bradford won a corner that saw a shot on goal blocked by the defence, and suddenly we were into injury time added on for the first half. The Palace fans were pleased with what turned out to be their half time lead, but one can rest assured that Iain Dowie would have been asking for more of the same in the second half, as a one-goal cushion would need to be improved upon if we were going to take all the spoils away from our trip today.

Palace got the second half underway, and Armstrong was immediately caught offside, then a free kick to Palace for a foul on Julian saw Michael played the ball quickly to Neil, his header going straight to the keeper.

David Wetherall put the ball behind for a corner as Neil was looking to close the ball down, but the attempt from the set piece this time was punched away by the keeper. Thomas claimed the ball at the other end after Bradford were awarded a corner, whilst at the other end Danny fired a great cross in to AJ, whose first time header went once more straight to the keeper, his next shot rolling tamely to the keeper yet again. Wetherall sent a shot wide of the post, and then Armstrong tried to lob the ball over the head of Thomas, but he made ground back towards his goal to save any embarrassment to the Palace side.

Bradford decided to make their second change of the day, taking off Summerbee, and bringing on Ben Muirhead, though it was Julian who made the next run on goal, but he was offside. AJ got the ball through to Julian again, but he was unable to connect with the ball, and yet another chance went begging, though shortly after we won another corner.

This time Michael sent in the cross and Aki flashed a header across the face of the goalmouth. Wayne then tried a repeat of the earlier effort at the other end, as he tried to lob the keeper, but the result was the same as the keeper got back in time to save the "shot". Wallwork got a cross in to Armstrong, his header fell straight into the path of Thomas, and Palace decided it was time to make changes of their own, the first being to bring Tommy Black on for Wayne.

Yet another corner to the home side saw Thomas react well, though the ball came easily to him, and Palace decided to chew up a few more moments, changing the line up once more as Michael gave way to Shaun Derry. With only a minute or so left on the clock Palace made their final change, this time taking off AJ and bringing on Dougie Freedman, who must be wondering by now just how he is going to get a game, considering the excellent form AJ is in. Added on time saw no further action, other than Wallwork getting a shot on goal, but the ball passed harmlessly wide of the post, and the final whistle sounded. Next week it is a home fixture against old tenants Wimbledon. Anyone for three more points?

Colin Pryce

Bradford City: Alan Combe, Peter Atherton, Jason Gavin, David Wetherall, Paul Heckingbottom, Nicky Summerbee (Ben Muirhead 69), Ronnie Wallwork, Gareth Farrelly, Andy Gray, Alun Armstrong, Danny Cadamarteri (Lewis Emanuel 42).

Substitutes not used: Paul Evans, Michael Branch, Simon Francis.

Crystal Palace: Thomas Myhre, Danny Butterfield, Mark Hudson, Gary Borrowdale, Danny Granville, Wayne Routledge (Tommy Black 79), Aki Riihilahti, Michael Hughes (Shaun Derry 83), Julian Gray, Andrew Johnson (Dougie Freedman 89), Neil Shipperley.

Substitutes not used: Lance Cronin, Kit Symons.

Attendance: 10,310

Referee: Mr M Pike