Champions Swindon were forced to settle for a goalless draw against The Bantams on the final day of the npower League Two campaign. City enjoyed the lion’s share of the play and, with more decisive finishing, they would have ended their own disappointing season with a deserved win. Visiting keeper Wes Fotheringham did well to save a shot from Nahki Wells in first-half stoppage time, after James Hanson had flicked the ball into his path, and Wells had two more chances in the second half – both provided by Hanson.
First, he saw his shot blocked in the 50th minute and then shot wide of the far post 10 minutes later. However, City’s best chance fell to David Syers in the 67th minute. Will Atkinson played him through on goal, but his shot lacked power and Fotheringham saved. Swindon, who were second best for most of the match, finished strongly, but the nearest they came to scoring was when Jon McLaughlin turned skipper Paul Caddis’ 20-yard free-kick over the crossbar before striker Paul Benson fired into the side-netting.
The City boss said: “It was a game of two halves because in the first half we were very good and we could have scored more. We hit the post, had numerous other chances to extend our lead. Cheltenham were always going to come out fighting in the second half and up their game.”
Cheltenham booked their place in the League Two play-offs hitting back from a goal down to see off The Bantams 3-1 at the Abbey Business Stadium. Nahki Wells put City ahead in the eighth minute with a fine low finish and only a string of saves from home goalkeeper Scott Brown kept the score down before a remarkable second-half turnaround.
A second-half goal by leading scorer James Hanson earned City the 1-0 win that ensured their Football League survival and left Macclesfield still three points adrift of safety with only two matches left. After a first half of plenty of endeavour but few goal-scoring chances, Hanson broke the deadlock with a close-range header which appeared to take a deflection off Ben Mills after Craig Fagan’s free-kick found him unmarked at the far post. It was Hanson’s 14th league and cup goal of the season.
City stunned high-flying Shrewsbury 3-1 to secure their third consecutive win in npower League Two. The Bantams cruised past their fourth-placed guests with goals from James Hanson, Nahki Wells and Craig Fagan to extend their unbeaten league run to five matches. The Shrews grabbed a late consolation through Marvin Morgan, his ninth of the season, after City had David Syers sent off for a professional foul, but the hosts were comfortable in victory.
Premier League side Stoke City have agreed to allow defender Andrew Davies to remain with Bradford City for the remainder of the current season. Davies’ current loan deal from Stoke was due to expire after next Saturday’s F.A Cup 3rd round tie with Championship side Watford.
