Report: Grimsby Town 0 Bradford City 2

SIMILARLY to Saturday's defeat at Scunthorpe, last night's loss contained plenty of encouraging signs but no Mariners goals.

Having completed a one-year deal earlier in the day, defender Paul Bignot was in the starting line-up.

He was joined by Chris Doig, who again looked to impress at centre-back, while somewhat surprisingly, Sam Hatton started in midfield.

There was a familiar face in the visiting team, with former Town favourite Alan Connell leading the Bantams' frontline.

In common with much of pre-season, bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst again cast their eyes over a 4-3-3 formation – or variation of it.

And once again the 'new' system helped the Mariners make an encouraging start.

Just five minutes in, Shaun Pearson glanced Paddy McLaughlin's free-kick a yard wide of the post before Bradford striker James Hanson repeated the trick in front of the Pontoon.

Andy Cook tested City keeper John McLaughlin for the first time ten minutes later, turning his marker in the box and hammering a right-foot effort straight at the stopper.

The frontman then headed straight at the keeper from a Paddy McLaughlin corner as a bright opening continued.

Cook was being supported by new arrivals Scott Neilson and Alex Rodman, who would quickly drop back into midfield when defending.

What followed, though, was the kind of lull in action and intensity only witnessed during pre-season matches – before Hanson planted a header over James McKeown's crossbar.

Kyel Reid drove a low shot wide of the home goal to end a half low on penalty box action.

The Mariners, however, had looked comfortable throughout, with their midfield trio of Hatton, Andi Thanoj and McLaughlin matching their League One opponents and stringing plenty of passes together.

Connell's BP return ended abruptly at half-time as he was substituted, while Craig Disley replaced Aswad Thomas in Town's only change.

Chances remained at a premium but some of hosts' passing play and movement, particularly between Neilson, Rodman and McLaughlin, was giving the crowd plenty of heart.

However, the first goal came completely out of the blue as the Bantams surged forward and sub Garry Thompson ghosted past Hatton on their right flank. His low centre was perfect for Hanson to side-foot from five yards out.

Scott Kerr replaced McLaughlin seconds later, giving Thanoj licence to push forward and his clever through-ball would have been perfect for 'a Liam Hearn.'

Unfortunately, Cook was the man in pursuit and a yard short of reaching the ball before Bantams stopper McLaughlin.

Town's front three was replaced in its entirety in the 70th minute, with Lenell John-Lewis, Ross Hannah and Dayle Southwell entering the action.

The change almost paid dividends immediately as John-Lewis fed Hannah in the box and the striker's shot was deflected wide, before Pearson glanced wide from the resulting corner.

Youth-teamers Paul Walker and Tom Charlesworth got another chance to impress for the final eight minutes – for Doig and Thanoj.

But neither of the youngsters could have done much about Bradford's second goal – a fine 25-yard free-kick from Mark Yeates which found the bottom corner.

Hannah went clear for the Mariners in the final minute but saw his effort blocked by the onrushing McLaughlin, before referee Ross Joyce decided enough was enough before the 90 minutes were up.

Town: McKeown; Bignot, Pearson, Doig (Walker 82), Thomas (Disley 46); McLaughlin (Kerr 61), Hatton, Thanoj (Charlesworth 82); Rodman (Southwell 70), Cook (John-Lewis 70), Neilson (Hannah 70).

Attendance: 1,330 (141 away)