Bradford's Jamaican defender Damion Stewart scored the vital goal as City won this relegation six-pointer at Bournemouth 1-0.
The loss leaves Bournemouth hovering just above the relegation zone, and they still have to play five of the top six sides in the end of season run-in.
Bradford started the brighter and after 15 minutes Owen Morrison hit a cross-shot that whistled just wide.
Bournemouth hit back with Stephen Purches getting in a cross that James Hayter headed just wide.
On 42 minutes, slack marking at a corner resulted in the game's first goal.
Bradford centre-half Stewart rose above the static Bournemouth defence and powered a header into the ground, which beat Gareth Stewart in the Bournemouth goal.
Whatever Sean O'Driscoll said at half-time seemed to work for Bournemouth. They came out after the break with renewed vigour and energy.
On 47 minutes they should have equalised. Hayter's shot was saved brilliantly by Donovan Ricketts, but the ball was not cleared by Bradford and Marcus Browning hit a low shot that the visiting keeper got down to push wide.
Despite a lot of pressure, Bournemouth struggled to create any more clear-cut chances and the game just petered out into a tame defeat for the Cherries.
Stewart, meanwhile, was outstanding in the Bradford defence and repelled everything Bournemouth threw at him.