Mark Hughes’ team suffered a close 1-0 defeat at the Crown Oil Arena against Rochdale in their second-to-last pre-season friendly.
Rochdale’s Jimmy McNulty led his side to take the lead early in the second half, courtesy of a powerful strike by Devante Rodney, securing victory for the hosts.
Initially, the visitors started strongly, posing a threat with a few early corners, with Emmanuel Osadebe coming closest to scoring with a header from a Jamie Walker cross that narrowly missed the post.
As the first half progressed, Bradford City took control of the game, and a whipped cross came agonisingly close to Kairo Mitchell tapping the ball into the net.
Approaching the end of the first half, City attempted to gain control with a free-kick earned from quick interchanging passes between Walker and Alex Pattison. Richie Smallwood’s well-delivered free-kick found defender Ash Taylor, whose header looped over the bar.
However, just moments into the second half, Rochdale’s Devante Rodney broke the deadlock with a left-footed strike after a well-executed build-up play.
Bradford City’s talisman, Cook, tried to respond immediately, but his effort was saved by Dale’s goalkeeper.
The Bantams continued to press and almost equalised around the hour mark, with Pattison’s curled effort going just over the bar.
Despite their late pressure and well-worked corner, City couldn’t find the equaliser, and Rochdale held on to their 1-0 lead.
