Bantams defeated in Nottingham
Source: Bradfordcityafc

Graham Alexander's Bantams were defeated in his first away match as City manager - losing 4-2 to Notts County at Meadow Lane.

Luke Williams' side raced to an early first half lead through a David McGoldrick tap-in, a Macauley Langstaff brace and a composed finish from Dan Crowley, leaving City four goals behind at half time.

A late fightback ensued for the visitors in the second-half, as Gilliead and Walker added to their seasonal goal tallies, but the positive response was not enough to turn the game around, and City would travel back to West Yorkshire empty-handed.

The hosts came out of the traps early and found themselves in front, just before the five-minute mark.

A neat through-ball from Crowley found Aaron Nemane, who, after beating Lewis Richards for pace, drilled in a low cross for target man McGoldrick.

The Irishman slotted home from close range to give the Magpies an early lead.

In an instant hunt for a second goal, Luke Williams' men had the ball in the back of the net moments later.

McGoldrick's strike from distance forced Harry Lewis to parry the shot straight into the the path of Crowley.

His skewed shot was elegantly converted by Langstaff, but County's top goalscorer was penalised for being in an offiside position - meaning the scoreline remained at 1-0.

Responding to the early set-back, City's No.9 Andy Cook had two chances to level the lunchtime clash.

Bobby Pointon's dangerous cross found the striker unmarked at the back post, but he could not direct the header on target.

Moments after, some patient build-up play inside the hosts' area was recycled by Cook, and with his back to goal, he sent a powerful effort goalwards that failed to endanger Sam Slocombe.

Ten minutes before half time, and after some controlled pressure from the visitors, the Magpies rediscovered their rhythm and raced further in front.

McGoldrick latched onto a long ball and managed to surpass Ash Taylor before sending a thunderous shot at Lewis.

The rebound once again caused issues for the City defence, as the parried save fell to Bostock on the edge of City's area, and after taking a few seconds to compose himself, sent a curled strike goalwards, which took a deflection off Langstaff and into the back of the net.

Langstaff was found in behind once again five minutes later by Crowley, and again displayed nimble and agile movement to tuck the ball underneath the City 'keeper and triple County's lead.

On the stroke of half time, the hosts went further in front, as Crowley found the top corner with a crisp right-footed finish before referee Tom Reeves blew the whistle on the first-half action.

Similar to how the hosts started the first, Alexander's men began the second half with purpose, and found a goal back just before the hour mark.

Gilliead was left with space on the edge of the box, and made the most of it by arrowing a shot into the bottom left corner, leaving Slocombe no chance.

The visitors continued to pile pressure on the Magpies defence. More neat build-up play from City was worked to Richie Smallwood, who opted to act as a decoy for Cook, but the No.9's shot was blocked.

It was not long until a sixth goal hit the back netting, as the Bantams reduced the gap to two through Walker.

The Scot was played in behind by Brad Halliday, who approached the hosts' area without question, and rifled the shot below Slocombe's arms.

However, City's second-half improvement could not wield more than the two goals, as the Magpies' ruthless, dominant first-half display secured all three points for the East Midlands outfit.

NOTTS COUNTY STARTING XI: Sam Slocombe, Richard Brindley, Kyle Cameron (C, Connell Rawlinson 60'), Jim O'Brien (Dan Gosling 74'), Dan Crowley, Macauley Langstaff, Aaron Nemane, Will Randall (Tobi Adebayo 60'), Aden Baldwin, John Bostock (Sam Austin 60'), David McGoldrick (Junior Morias 81'). Subs not used: Aiden Stone, Lewis Macari.

GOALS: David McGoldrick (5'), Macauley Langstaff (36 '42'), Dan Crowley (45+2').

CITY STARTING XI: Harry Lewis, Brad Halliday, Ash Taylor (Matty Platt 46'), Richie Smallwood (C), Jamie Walker, Andy Cook, Alex Gilliead, Tyler Smith (Adam Wilson 71'), Sam Stubbs, Bobby Pointon (Ciaran Kelly 46'), Lewis Richards. Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Emmanuel Osadebe, Clarke Oduor, Harry Chapman.

GOALS: Alex Gilliead (57'), Jamie Walker (75').

ATTENDANCE: 11,909 (2,276 City supporters).