Bradford second after Rochdale rout
Bradford moved into second place in League One with their biggest win of the season after thrashing Rochdale 4-0 at Valley Parade.
The result maintained Bradford's unbeaten home record in the league as they bounced back in style from their FA Cup exit at home to Accrington.
Bradford took charge of the game with two goals in three minutes towards the end of the first half.
Top scorer Billy Clarke put them in front after 41 minutes with his sixth goal of the season, rifling a right-foot shot into the net after Nicky Law's left-wing cross had been helped into his path by James Hanson.
Clarke was instrumental in Bradford's second goal three minutes later
Visiting goalkeeper Josh Lillis dived full length to turn his low 25-yard shot away for a corner and, when Clarke's set-piece was cleared back to him, he returned the ball into the goalmouth for Timothee Dieng to score with a glancing header.
Rochdale were reduced to 10 men after 57 minutes when Niall Canavan was sent off for a second yellow card after bringing down Josh Cullen just outside the penalty area.
Bradford then scored a third goal when the Rochdale defence failed to clear the resulting free-kick taken by Mark Marshall
Hanson's close-range header was blocked by Lillis and the striker scored from the rebound.
The Bantams added a fourth in the 62nd minute when Marshall scored direct from a free-kick just outside the box.
Source : PA
Source: PA