Despite a resilient defensive effort Bromley’s unbeaten run came to an end as they lost out to an 83rd minute goal from promotion challengers Bradford City in an enthralling game at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.  

Andy Woodman’s team had one change from the win over Harrogate on Saturday with Corey Whitely coming in for the injured Harry McKirdy in the midfield.

The game started with the visitors looking to press, cheered on by over 400 fans, The Bantams had early chances with Jack Shepherd going close and Antoni Sarcevic heading over.

For the first twenty minutes Bromley were pegged back in their own half, but they did create a chance when from a free kick routine Byron Walker crossed for Jude Arthurs who headed over.

Brandon Khela was off target for Bradford soon after and Sarcevic then had a goal ruled out for offside. In a game that resembled a training ground session of defence v attack at times, Bromley did break late on when Cameron Congreve drove up the pitch, but The Ravens momentum broke down just outside the area and they went in to the break 1-0 down. 

The second half saw a promising start from Bromley with Deji Elerewe heading wide from a set piece and Michael Cheek forcing a save from Sam Walker in the Bradford goal, but as the half went on it was City who began to dominate again.

Khela fired wide, before Grant Smith made a superb double save to deny Brad Halliday and Michael Mellon from close range after a scramble in the area from a free kick. Ben Thompson went close for The Ravens, with Walker saving his low powerful effort from the right as the game became a midfield battle for a spell.

Omar Sowunmi came on to add an extra body in defence for the home side as they looked to dig in. Despite this, the visitors’ break through finally came though on 83 minutes when a Jamie Walker cross from the right found Bobby Pointon in the six yard box to convert past Smith and give Bradford the lead their efforts had deserved.

For the final few minutes Sowunmi went up front to partner Cheek as The Ravens looked to go direct for an equaliser, Thompson blasted a free kick over the bar and in injury time Bromley had one great chance when Brooklyn Ilunga crossed from the left for Sowunmi, but his downwards header was well saved by Walker and the three points were Bradford’s who moved up to second in the table.                              

Bromley remain tenth after this first loss in five and they now prepare for another tough game away to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. 

Bromley: Smith, Jenkinson, Webster, Elerewe, Mayor (Ilunga 71), Whitely (Dennis 79), Thompson, Arthurs, Congreve (Sowunmi 64), Charles (Ifil 79), Cheek.

Subs Not Used: Long, Kabamba, Grant. 

Bradford: S Walker, Shepherd, Huntingdon, Baldwin, Richards (Adaramola 40), Khela (Pattison 77), Smallwood, Halliday, Pointon (Byrne 90), Sarcevic (Leigh 77), Mellon (J Walker 78).

Subs Not Used: Hilton, Johnson.        

Goal: Pointon 83mins. 

HT 0-0 FT 0-1

Att: 2,442 

Referee: Jamie O’Connor