Andy Cook celebrates scoring Bradford City's opening goalRex Features

Andy Cook's goal was his 70th league strike in 138 starts across two spells with Bradford City

Rob Phillips
BBC Sport Wales at the University of Bradford Stadium

Bradford City ended their four-game winless run in League Two as they edged out Newport County at Valley Parade.

Andy Cook had given the home side the lead on 39 minutes only for Newport’s Huddersfield Town loanee Kyle Hudlin to equalise midway through the second half.

But the Newport reply seemed to galvanise Bradford as James Walker nudged them ahead and Bobby Pointon completed the win.

Bradford had the advantage at half-time as Cook, the scourge of Newport in recent games, netted his sixth goal in four games against the Welsh club, converting a Jay Benn cross with a perfect looping header for his seventh of the campaign.

Newport, without a draw this season, began the second half with a flourish with Kieron Evans glancing wide.

And they were rewarded when Hudlin – at 6ft 9in one of the tallest players in world football – powerfully headed home an equaliser from six yards.

But the goal galvanised the home side, who quickly wrestled back the initiative and ensured their unbeaten home run this season continued.

First Walker surged onto a cross from the left to side-foot in a low shot, which took a deflection as the ball travelled through a crowd of players on 75 minutes.

And Newport’s unhappy record in this part of Yorkshire was made worse as they were consigned to their first defeat in three when substitute Pointon sealed the win late on.

PA Media

Newport County's Kyle Hudlin battles for the ball against Bradford City's Neill Byrne

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds:

"It's obvious that we've been missing players. Players have been thrust in a little bit undercooked maybe and have had to find their feet, but I thought they were superb tonight.

"We've got Neill Byrne back and gone back to our familiar formation which we worked so hard on at the end of last season and in pre-season.

"I thought we were magnificent tonight. I thought the first half was the best we've played."

Newport County manager Nelson Jardim told BBC Radio Wales:

“That was definitely a frustrating night, especially the way the boys played. I just have to be proud of the effort they put in, after conceding a goal coming back second half when we thought we were the better team.

“When we were drawing the game in the second half I was feeling we could actually score the second, but on a little detail we conceded that second goal which made it more difficult for us.

“Overall I am proud of the boys, I think we can definitely see improvements in our game away from home. We were dominating and managing it better but we just have to keep building.

“I did not think it was a game where there was a two-goal difference but we have to learn and look forward. But if we play like we did here consistently, I am very positive about the future.”

Related topics