Dominic Poleon’s first-half goal allowed Bradford to make it two wins from two in the new League One season as they ground out a 1-0 victory at 10-man Gillingham.

The hosts had striker Conor Wilkinson sent off for good measure as their search for a goal in the campaign goes on, while Poleon will be relieved his glaring miss just before half-time did not prove costly.

Adrian Pennock shuffled the pack again after Tuesday night’s loss to Reading in the Carabao Cup with Josh Wright handed his first league start of the campaign.

Bradford broke through after 19 minutes, when Alex Jones got to the by-line and cut the ball back, with Poleon passing his shot first-time into the bottom corner.

Having struggled to create openings, Gillingham finally threatened when Josh Parker forced Colin Doyle into a smart save from a tight angle on the left.

Poleon then somehow missed an open goal after dispossessing Max Ehmer and rounding Tomas Holy while at the other end Parker was just as wasteful, as he stabbed wide from Luke O’Neill’s cross.

The Gills’ cause was not helped by Wilkinson’s dismissal with 15 minutes left for a poor challenge on Timothee Dieng and substitute Liam Nash headed their last chance over.

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Lacey (Eaves 63), Ehmer, Zakuani, Ogilvie, Byrne (Nash 89), Wright, Martin, Parker (Wagstaff 89), Wilkinson.

Subs not used: Hadler, Oldaker, Hessenthaler, Cundle.

Booked: Lacey (31), Byrne (55).

Sent Off: Wilkonson (75).

Bradford City line up: Doyle, McMahon, Field, Kilgallon, Knight-Percival, Reeves, Law, Dieng, Jones (Gilliead 58), Patrick (Taylor 65), Poleon.

Subs not used: Sattelmaier, McCartan, Pybus, Devine, Robinson.

Goal: Poleon (19).

Booked: Reeves (22), Patrick (29), McMahon (62).

Referee: Mr John Busby

Attendance: 5,267 (521 Bradford City)