Defeat is cruel on City

The Bantams have now lost six in a row but this was a harsh result after a gritty, fully-committed display in which Andy Myers had an early header cleared off the line.

Nicky Law promised an experienced look to the City side this afternoon and he got that with five changes from the 5-0 thrashing by Sheffield United.

Long-term casualties Jamie Lawrence, out for three months, and Peter Atherton, who has missed the last two, were welcome additions to a team looking to plug a depressing run of five successive defeats.

There were also starts for Andy Myers and Wayne Jacobs, who both came on as substitutes last week, and a return from suspension for Robert Molenaar.

Juanjo and Paul Evans did not even make the trip, Harpal Singh was not among the 16 while Mark Bower and Michael Standing dropped to the bench.

Youngster Simon Francis kept his place and was set for a midfield role - his third different position in his three senior games.

Lawrence, sporting a freshly-bleached blond hair cut, picked out Delroy Facey to win City the first corner after four minutes. It was met by a thumping header from Myers which Dennis Wise kicked off the line. Molenaar's follow-up header was saved by Tony Warner.

Facey was brought down by Robbie Ryan just outside the box as City pushed again but Jacobs blazed the free-kick into the empty seats beside the small group of City fans.

There was a more solid look about City already and Boaz Myhill had little to do in the opening ten minutes, apart from slipping at a goal-kick and ending up on his backside to a roar from the crowd. Myhill was not ruffled by the home fans and gathered confidently at the feet of Claridge as he chased a flick by Reid.

Myers handled five yards outside the City box to give Millwall an opening after 17 minutes. The supporters were calling for Wise who curled it right-footed over the wall but it was always bending away from Myhill's right post.

Jacobs flattened Ifill on the halfway line and while the Millwall winger received treatment he was shown the first yellow card of the game - and his fourth of the season.

The crowd was muted as Millwall got little change from City's no-frills approach. But there was still a threat on the break with Facey far sharper than in previous weeks.

Gus Uhlenbeek and Andy Gray worked a second corner after 27 minutes and Myers again attacked the kick from Francis. But Stuart Nethercott won the duel and as Ryan tried to counter, he was clattered by Lawrence, who was booked.

There was brief panic as Molenaar got in a tangle in his own penalty area under pressure from Claridge and Braniff. But the big Dutchman recovered in time to poke the loose ball back to Myhill who fired it clear.

Francis escaped with a ticking-off for a foul midway inside the City half. Millwall worked the free-kick quickly to Reid who fizzed a shot wide from 25 yards.

Molenaar bravely threw himself at a throw-in inside the box and got caught by Wise, although he was able to continue after a brief patch-up from physio Steve Redmond.

City nearly fashioned a chance in the 35th minute as Facey got Gray away on the right. Atherton peeled away to retrieve his deep cross but his centre was dealt with by Joe Dolan.

Atherton became the hero at the other end within a minute, throwing himself in the way of a Ryan shot after Claridge and Reid had opened up the right side of the defence.

Livermore collected his tenth booking of the campaign for a hack on Francis. The Millwall central midfielder has also had one red as well.

Livermore and Wise were being well marshalled by Lawrence and Atherton who had both shaken off any early ring-rust to put in several important tackles and interceptions.

Four minutes before the break City were close to the lead with a goal from an unlikely source. Jacobs floated a free-kick in from the left, Francis rose to knock it back across the goalmouth where Molenaar met the ball with a close-range volley that flashed inches over the bar.

The City fans behind Warner's goal were in good voice as half-time approached, clearly encouraged by a performance much tighter than anything in the last month.

Right on the whistle, Reid whipped in a dangerous cross which Uhlenbeek headed out for a corner.

Half-time: Millwall 0, City 0

Jacobs won an important header to concede a corner within 40 seconds of the re-start. Molenaar cleared it to Gray and a City counter looked on as Francis broke but his cross was cut out by Dolan.

Gray set off on another forceful run but with Facey tearing into the goal-mouth he got too much on the cross.

Gray was seeing more of the ball and stretched Millwall again, Dolan staying with him to give City a third corner. It was half-cleared as far as Lewis Emanuel, whose drive was held up in the six-yard box before the home side cleared with difficulty.

The Millwall fans were getting disgruntled as City grew in confidence.

But City were down to ten men when Ifill attacked again and Jacobs brought him down to the left side of the penalty area.

City's longest-serving player was called over by referee Danson and given his marching orders. Jacobs looked distraught as he trudged off the pitch although City at least survived the free-kick with Claridge's header across goal being ushered out by Molenaar.

For the second week running, City had to play out the final half hour with only ten men.

They let in three against Sheffield United following Uhlenbeek's red card and the challenge was there now to ensure the good work of the first 60 minutes would not be wasted.

Emanuel dropped to left back with Gray moving into midfield as Facey was left to forage alone.

Millwall had a new spring in their step and veteran Claridge tore away before crossing to Braniff who volleyed over from ten yards. Before Myhill took the goalkick, Mark McGhee threw on a third striker as Neil Harris replaced Ryan.

Facey nutmegged Livermore by the byline although the Millwall midfielder won the free-kick but the muscular striker continued to badger away whenever the ball came in his direction.

City continued to defend confidently and when Kinet cushioned a high ball away from Uhlenbeek, Francis was in there to wallop the loose ball to safety.

Facey set off on a sensational run from the halfway line. The on-loan striker had no support but didn't need any as he galloped through the retreating home defenders - only to undo the good work with a horrible slice from 15 yards.

But then after 83 minutes City fell behind. A long ball from Reid dissected the centre-halves and HARRIS nipped in to chest it past Myhill.

It was a stunning blow for the Bantams who had seemed destined for their first away point for over two months.

As the rain teemed down, Warner was quickly off his line with a sliding clearance to deny Gray, and as the whistle went City had to come to terms with their sixth straight loss.