Bradford 3 Brakes 2: Blow for battling Brakes as Bradford get their hands on the three points

The fact that a clear handball was missed in the build-up to the winning goal made it a bitter pill to swallow but in truth the hosts were worthy victors on chances created alone, with some of the football they played on an absolute pudding of a pitch a joy to behold at times.

Paul Holleran’s patched- up squad deserve great credit nonetheless for making Park Avenue work very hard for their win, with resources further stretched during the game thanks to more injuries which will hit the squad hard over the coming weeks.

Bradford served notice of their attacking intent early on when they broke quickly from a Leamington corner. A few passes later, Adam Clayton was played in on the edge of the box only to fire well over the bar when he should have at least tested Tony Breeden.

Home skipper Nathan Hotte was then denied by a brave block from the keeper after another smart move.

Ryan Qualter saw his glancing header from a free-kick saved by Breeden before a superb crossfield ball from the impressive Paul Walker allowed Paul Beesley to set up Danny Glover, who was unable to find the target with an improvised effort.

Both sets of players were losing their footing on the sticky surface but Brakes were relinquishing possession frequently, with their hurried clearances almost coming straight back at them as the home side pushed forward relentlessly.

David McNamee drove over the bar from distance before Glover put a first-time shot well over at the other end.

There was a sniff of a chance for Leamington shortly before half-time, Ricky Johnson doing well to win the ball in the centre circle and stab it into the path of Danny Newton, who sprinted towards goal, but with three defenders in hot pursuit he snatched at his shot and it flew over the bar.

Bradford continued to threaten early in the second half, a succession of corners keeping Breeden busy, before Brakes stunned their hosts by taking the lead with their first shot on target in the 55th minute.

Lee Chilton and Johnson were both involved before the ball arrived invitingly at the feet of Newton just inside the area, who with one touch dispatched the ball low past John Lamb for his second goal in a matter of days.

The home side went close again when Walker crashed in a low drive from the left that Breeden did well to get behind, the loose ball falling for Avenue debutant Grant Black whose first-time shot flew back across goal and just wide of the far post.

Glover then fired over the bar from a right-wing cross with the goal at his mercy.

Bradford levelled with 15 minutes to play, Richard Marshall delivering a pinpoint cross from the left for Glover to finally hit the target with a fine header that span out of Breeden’s reach and into the top corner of the net.

And, with five minutes remaining their continued pressure paid off with what looked to be the winning goal, Walker scrambling a shot past Breeden with the aid of a deflection.

There was further drama to come, however, as within two minutes Leamington were level.

A free-kick played towards the edge of the area was not cleared, allowing substitute Matt Dodd to stab in a shot that evaded the dive of Lamb to nestle in the bottom corner.

Undeterred, the hosts continued to press for another goal.

Marshall’s shot was only just deflected behind and the resulting corner saw a header thump against the bar.

But John Deacey’s side were not to be denied and despite a handball being missed by the officials in the build- up, substitute Chib Chilaka was on hand to scramble in a similar effort to the second goal, the ball deflecting low past Breeden.

Only this time there was no way back for Brakes.

Bradford: John Lamb, Grant Black (Chris Howarth, 86) , James Knowles, Jamie Price (Chib Chilaka, 70), Ryan Qualter, Adam Clayton, Paul Beesley (Ross Gardner, 70), Nathan Hotte, Danny Glover, Richard Marshall, Paul Walker. Subs not used: Scott Maxfield, Mark Hume.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley, Josh Hawker, Liam Daly, James Mace, Lee Moore (Matt Dodd, 58), David McNamee, Danny Newton (Luke Connolly, 65), Ricky Johnson, Lee Chilton (Josh Green, 79). Subs not used: Will Green, Lewis Fenney.