Bantams finish on a high but it’s not enough

BRADFORD City boss Graham Alexander accepted his side had not done enough over the course of the season after missing out on the League Two play-offs.

A late resurgence had given the Bantams a chance of securing a place in the top seven heading into their final game of the regular season. They were convincing as they brushed Newport County aside in a 4-1 win but it was not enough to secure a play-off spot.

At close of play, Alexander’s side sat one point adrift of seventhplaced Crawley Town. Speaking after the game, Alexander said: “We did our part today but not over the course of the season. But all we could do was win our game and see what fate decided.

“It’s gone against us but I’m really pleased with how the players approached the game and the supporters who came in brilliant numbers. Everyone connected with Bradford City handled themselves really well. I wanted the players to understand it was a test and there was going to be a lot of pressure on us to basically chase three games in one.”

It was another encouraging display from the Bantams, who wrapped up three points with goals from Calum Kavanagh, Andy Cook, Bobby Pointon and Jamie Walker.

Alexander said: “Some of the football we played was superb.” Bradford: S Walker, Oyegoke, Platt, Kelly, Halliday, J Walker, Smallwood, Wright, Kavanagh (Smith 78), Pointon (Oduor 78), Cook. Unused substitutes: Tomkinson, Gilliead, Doyle, Chapman, Richards. Newport County: Townsend, Bright (McLoughlin 81), Baker, Sanca, Jameson, W Evans, Bennett (Waite 66), Morris, Charsley (Wildig 81), Palmer-Houlden, Jephcott (Bondswell 66). Unused substitutes: Rai, Maxted, Norris.

Referee: T Kirk (Manchester).