City slumped to a fourth defeat on the bounce at Crewe tonight against a side who played the whole second half with ten men.

Bradford-born Clayton Donaldson had stuck the knife into his hometown club with his 16th goal of the season before he was red-carded before the break.

But the Bantams failed to make the man advantage count to remain in their losing rut.

Gareth Evans wasted a gilt-edged chance early on and Crewe made him pay when Donaldson tapped in their opener on 15 minutes.

City fought their way level six minutes before half-time, Shane Duff heading his first goal for the club.

But their elation disappeared within seconds as Crewe went straight up the other end to restore the lead through Byron Moore.

Donaldson was then sent off for sticking his head into City's new loan signing Jon Worthington. Evans was also dismissed in a fiery end to the half - only to be recalled over a case of mistaken identity.

City had 45 minutes to capitalise on their one-man advantage.

David Syers and Omar Daley went close as the visitors camped in the Crewe half. Michael Flynn also volleyed wide after coming on late for his first league outing of the season.

But City could not come up with an equaliser and were left once again with that familiar empty feeling.