Bradford City 2 Northampton Town 0: Bantams produce fitting tribute

After an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the Valley Parade fire disaster 25 years ago, the fans were treated to an entertaining contest.

City goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin made two important early saves before Evans brought the home fans to their feet with his stunning 12th-minute opener.

The frontman controlled the ball on his chest before unleashing a dipping 30-yard volley which left Jason Steele grasping at thin air.

Play-off chasers Northampton suffered another blow when centre-half Dean Beckwith was red-carded after 37 minutes for pulling back Leon Osborne as the City man threatened to burst clear.

Shortly before the break Town striker Billy McKay headed against a post and defender John Johnson was lucky not to see red when he felled Evans with his forearm.

City soaked up pressure as the second half wore on and Steele produced several good blocks to deny Osborne and Gavin Grant.

And when Adam Bolder clipped over a right-wing cross 10 minutes from time, Evans was waiting at the far post to fire home another excellent volley.

City manager Peter Taylor said: "When a disaster happens, which happened here 25 years ago, it brings a community closer. That's the feeling I've had at the football club ever since I've been here.

"There's a lovely feeling around the place. There's lots of supporters desperate for their team to get back to where they should be. I thought it was a magnificent feeling today. Any player in that changing room can see that if we were to start being a good team in this division that's the type of support we'd get every week."

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Rehman (Ramsden 57), Williams, Clarke, Threlfall; Bolder, Bullock, Flynn; Grant, Evans, Osborne. Unused substiutes: Glennon, L O'Brien, Kendall, Bateson, J O'Brien, Neilson.

Northampton Town: Steele, Johnson, Beckwith, Holt, Gilbert (Thornton 73); Rodgers, Gilligan, Osman, Davis; McKay (Herbert 73), Akinfenwa (Guinan 73). Unused substitutes: Dunn, Hinton, Dyer, Curtis.

Referee: P Crossley (Kent).

Man of the match: Gareth Evans.