Bradford City 2 Blackpool 1

Last updated : 19 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Bradford City winger Nicky Summerbee fired in a second free-kick in the space of three days to secure a fourth successive win for Colin Todd's inform outfit.

Summerbee who opened his account for the season with a sensational strike in the five-four victory at Tranmere came up trumps again with the winner two minutes from time after a disputed penalty looked to have handed Blackpool at least a draw.

Colin Henry's men had also been enjoying a five-game unbeaten run and they almost went ahead after only six minutes when striker John Murphy saw his header flash wide.

But as City clicked into gear they created several openings and on-loan striker Dele Adebola blazed wide from eight yards before finally breaking the deadlock.

The visitors were caught flat footed when Dean Windass headed a Summerbee free-kick back across goal in the 35th minute and although keeper Lee Jones twice blocked close-range efforts from Adebola, the City striker eventually forced the ball home to register his fifth goal in seven games.

Henry's side responded well after the break and Bradford keeper Paul Henderson did well to save Scott Taylor's 49th-minute strike.

But Blackpool's cause looked doomed as they suffered a crucial set back when skipper Mark McGregor was stretched off with a leg injury but within a minute they were level in controversial circumstances.

Referee Darren Drysdale incurred the anger of home fans when he ruled that full-back Darren Holloway had pulled back Murphy in the box and Taylor kept his head to slide home the 76th minute spot kick.

Two minutes later McGregor's replacement Robert Claire rattled the Bradford bar with a powerful header but Bradford hit back and Summerbee grabbed the crucial three points.

The City winger fancied his chances with the left-wing free-kick but Henry will not be happy with the way with his curling 20-yard strike fizzed around the Blackpool wall and beat keeper Jones at his far post.