Nahki Wells poached his tenth goal of the season as City proved too strong for Northampton.

The Bermudian’s second-half effort clinched the second away win – and it was no more than the Bantams deserved.

City should have been ahead after a fiercely-contested first half.

There weren’t many chances but the best ones had fallen to the visitors, with Craig Forsyth and James Hanson both close to breaking the deadlock.

Forsyth’s goal-bound shot was deflected wide by Kelvin Langmead after keeper Lee Nicholls was left in no man’s land following a challenge with Wells.

Then Hanson, without a goal since the Morecambe game, had two bites at the cherry from one of City’s six corners in the half.

His initial header was charged down in a packed Northampton goalmouth and when he had a second crack at the loose ball, his shot was blocked on the line by midfielder Alex Nicholls.

Northampton’s chief threat came from the long throw-ins of Ben Tozer but City were coping well with their direct approach.

City went ahead eight minutes into the second half when Wells reacted first as Hanson flicked on Jon McLaughlin’s clearance and poked home.

But the striker also received his fifth booking for his over-zealous celebration, which means he is out of Saturday’s game at Burton. Hanson should have doubled City’s lead after 67 minutes but shot over an inviting goal after Lee Nicholls could not hang on to Forsyth’s drive.

McLaughlin was a spectator for most of the game but tipped over a header from one-time City loanee Louis Moult.