Match ends, Walsall 2, Bradford City 3.
Andy Cook returned to haunt his old club as Bradford kept alive their League Two play-off hopes and dented Walsall's with a win at the Bescot Stadium.
Walsall led through Ryan Stirk and Mo Faal before Cook pulled one back and set up two for Jamie Walker, who was later sent off.
The Saddlers went in front after seven minutes as Isaac Hutchinson put Stirk clear to slot home from 12 yards.
Faal added a second four minutes later, pouncing on a mix-up between Walker and Dan Oyegoke to loop home a header.
Bradford were back in it three minutes later as Cook headed home a deep cross.
Hutchinson hit a post for Walsall but Bradford levelled five minutes before half-time as another towering Cook header was nodded in by Walker.
Walker completed the turnaround after 53 minutes, thumping home from eight yards after Cook's header was blocked, before seeing red 15 minutes later for two quickfire cautions.
But Bradford held on as Tom Knowles hit the woodwork late on for Walsall, who must win their final game and rely on several other results going their way.
Bradford are four points adrift of the top seven with two matches left.
Report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 22Smith
- 2OkagbueSubstituted forJames-Taylorat 79'minutes
- 5Daniels
- 21AllenBooked at 32mins
- 14ComleySubstituted forTierneyat 59'minutes
- 12FoulkesSubstituted forKnowlesat 59'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 8Hutchinson
- 25Stirk
- 3Gordon
- 23FaalSubstituted forJohnsonat 74'minutes
- 18GordonSubstituted forMattat 60'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Evans
- 6Farquharson
- 9Matt
- 10Knowles
- 11James-Taylor
- 26Tierney
- 39Johnson
Bradford
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Walker
- 22Oyegoke
- 5Platt
- 18KellyBooked at 45minsSubstituted forOduorat 82'minutes
- 2Halliday
- 7WalkerBooked at 68mins
- 6SmallwoodBooked at 90mins
- 36WrightBooked at 67minsSubstituted forRichardsat 89'minutes
- 23PointonSubstituted forTomkinsonat 73'minutes
- 9Cook
- 8KavanaghSubstituted forGillieadat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Gilliead
- 12Oduor
- 13Doyle
- 14Smith
- 20Chapman
- 31Tomkinson
- 32Richards
- Referee:
- Adam Herczeg
- Attendance:
- 6,656
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home22
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away5
- Corners
- Home9
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 2, Bradford City 3.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jamille Matt (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Isaac Hutchinson with a cross.
Booking
Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Tom Knowles (Walsall) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Tom Knowles (Walsall).
Post update
Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Sam Walker.
Post update
Attempt saved. Tom Knowles (Walsall) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Richard Smallwood.
Post update
Attempt saved. Douglas James-Taylor (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ross Tierney with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Brad Halliday.
Substitution
Substitution, Bradford City. Lewis Richards replaces Tyreik Wright.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jamille Matt (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Taylor Allen with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Matthew Platt.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Isaac Hutchinson (Walsall) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Danny Johnson (Walsall).
Post update
Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tom Knowles (Walsall) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Isaac Hutchinson.
Post update
Foul by Clarke Oduor (Bradford City).
Comments
Join the conversation
As always: 'Up the Paraders!
When Walsall came to Bradford .
A decent end to our season, 12 from 15pts.
I
meant to add - when Walsall came to Bradford I was impressed.