BRADFORD 0

BARROW 1

PETE Wild had called on Barrow to deliver a never-say-die display - and got it with a battling Valley Parade victory.

Josh Kay’s first-half goal clinched a first win in seven games and the Bluebirds were good value for it against their lacklustre hosts.

Promotion-chasing Bradford, who had gone into the game confident of making it three wins in a week, did not manage a single effort on target as Barrow claimed a notable league double.

Kay was one of three changes made by Wild to the starting line-up after the Doncaster defeat. George Ray and Elliot Newby also came in as Tyrell Warren, Ben Whitfield and Billy Waters dropped to the bench.

Ray’s addition meant sticking with three centre halves - the system used in the second half of their previous Yorkshire trip. Sam McClelland was playing in a mask to protect his recently-damaged nose.

Barrow’s backline held firm as Bradford won a string of early corners without threatening Paul Farman’s goal. Farman was also alert to two through balls for home strikers Andy Cook and Abo Eisa.

But it was the visitors who struck first on 24 minutes with Kay starting and finishing a cutting counter-attack.

He nicked the ball off Adam Clayton in the centre circle and then fed Harrison Neal on the charge. Ged Garner pulled it back into the box where Kay had continued his run to fire home from 12 yards.

Wild celebrated madly in front of the dug-out as the rest of the ground - barring the 511 travelling fans - sat stunned.

Bradford continued to dominate possession without really worrying the well-drilled white shirts. Newby worked space for a curler at the other end, but it flew wide of the post.

Bradford’s growing frustration showed with bookings for Jamie Walker and Richie Smallwood with Barrow happy to break up play.

Eisa was forced off with an injury right on half-time as the Bluebirds comfortably saw it through to the interval without any hint of trouble. The boos from home fans sounded music to their ears.

The lead was almost doubled seven minutes into the second half as Kay’s knockdown dropped to Niall Canavan in the six-yard box but the former Bradford captain failed to make contact.

The home crowd grew more irritable as the Bluebirds threatened again from a corner, which Garner headed over the bar.

Kay then broke promisingly down the right flank and his low cross just eluded the stretching Garner in the Bradford goal mouth.

Robbie Gotts shot straight at Harry Lewis before the home side threw on winger Scott Banks on the hour.

The Crystal Palace loanee flashed a dangerous ball across the Barrow goal but none of three intended Bradford targets could get the touch.

Sam Stubbs headed over the bar from a Clayton corner but the defensive resolve never weakened, Patrick Brough summing that up in stoppage time when he threw himself in the way of a Jamie Walker shot.

The Cumbrian voices sung loud as Barrow celebrated in front of their support.