BRADFORD CITY 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Connor Brown’s first-half dismissal proved a pivotal moment as Oldham Athletic lost at Bradford City in John Sheridan’s first match back as manager.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Sheridan who believed his side would not have left empty handed had they had a full complement of players throughout.
They are now nine games without a win and remain five points adrift of safety, a worrying scenario.
But Sheridan took great encouragement from the display as the 10 men battled tenaciously for 50 minutes only to lose to a Tony McMahon goal.
Sheridan made only one change from the side that lost at home to Millwall, David Dunn’s last match as manager.
Central defender James Wilson replaced wide midfield man Dominic Poleon as he significantly switch to 3-5-2 to the more orthodox four-man defence that Dunn employed.
Latics almost got off to a terrible start when Rory McArdle fired just over the bar from 12 yards when he ought to have hit the target.
Kyle Reid also pulled a shot wide as Bradford were the brighter side in the opening stages.
Latics lost Cameron Dummigan to injury midway through the opening half as he was replaced by Brown.
Latics had their best chance of the match five minutes before half time when Jake Cassidy’s flick from a Mike Jones cross appeared looked to have beaten Ben Williams only for the keeper to claw out the effort.
That was quickly followed by Brown’s dismissal after being on the pitch for only 16 minutes following a late challenge on Reid as referee Ben Toner brandished a red card.
It was a decision that caused controversy with many believing it did not merit a dismissal. And Latics, needing to reorganise, almost fell behind in stoppage time when James Hanson had a chance, but Timothee Dieng came up with a vital block.
Bradford made the all-important breakthrough five minutes into the second period when McMahon looped a header from James Meredith’s cross over keeper Joel Coleman.
The goal jolted Latics to life as Jones hammed a free kick into the defensive wall and, dollowing up, struck the rebound just wide of the upright.
Bradford had a chance to double their lead moments later when a poor clearance from Coleman fell to Christopher Routis who shot not far over the bar.
A great move involving Jones and Daniel Lafferty led to Carl Winchester having a goal attempt, though his effort was blocked.
Bradford, with an extra man, was enjoying lots of pressure, but Latics were a threat on the break.
Sheridan threw caution to the wind bringing on Poloen and Jonathan Forte in pursuit of an equaliser. He is a great advocate of fortune favouring the brave.
Latics thought they ought to have been awarded a penalty with three minutes left when former Latics’ loanee Nathan Clarke appeared to handle, but Mr Toner waved away the appeal.
And there was a second penalty shout for Latics in stoppage time when Forte’s flick appeared to strike a hand, but again it was rejected.
There was still time for Latics to have one last chance when Liam Kelly forced Williams into a smart save as Sheridan’s first game ended in defeat.