LIVE: Port Vale v Bantams (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

9:08pm

Port Vale 0 Bradford City 2
City marched a huge step closer towards the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final after a highly impressive victory against League Two promotion rivals Port Vale.
After an organised and disciplined goalless first-half display, Phil Parkinson’s men struck twice in nine devastating minutes after the break.
Ritchie Jones rifled home a spectacular 46th-minute opener with a sweet right-footed strike and on-loan Watford winger Craig Forsyth blasted in a second soon after.
Both goals were created by the excellent Garry Thompson and left City just two rounds away from the Wembley final on April 7.
 

9:06pm

Final score: Port Vale 0 Bradford City 2

8:34pm

Darby and  Turgott OFF - G Jones and Doyle ON

8:30pm

Attendance: 2,786 (120 City fans) 

8:30pm

GOAL!!! Forsyth puts City 2-0 up and in total control with a sweet left-foot finish!!!

8:26pm

Myrie-Williams booked for diving. Vale fans are fuming.

8:24pm

Myrie-Williams shot deflected out for a corner. Still 1-0 to City.

8:19pm

GOAL!!! Ritchie Jones scores from 20 yards to put City ahead!!! 1-0 to the Bantams.

8:19pm

The second half is underway at Vale Park.

8:03pm

Half-time at Vale Park: Port Vale 0 Bradford City 0

8:02pm

Referee Drysdale has erred, books Alan Connell instead of Carl McHugh, who he then goes to book as it was he who committed the foul on the Vale player.

7:58pm

Jennison Myrie-Williams hit a vicious left-foot strike from 25 yards which Jon McLaughlin parries out for a corner.

7:57pm

Tom Naylor recovers well to shepherd the ball back to Jon McLaughlin after Ashley Vincent threatens to outpace him.

7:51pm

Garry Thompson outfoxes a Vale defender with a nice piece of skill but fires straight at Chris Neal from inside the 18-yard box.

7:49pm

Phil Parkinson, typically, patrolling the edge of his technical area barking orders at his men.

7:47pm

Craig Forsyth, who is having a lively evening, blazes over after excellent work from Ritchie Jones to set him clear. 

7:43pm

Overall so far, two well-balanced, well-matched sides. Genuine goalscoring opportunities remain scarce.

7:42pm

City cut apart the Vale defence as Alan Connell shows intelligence to slip in Garry Thompson. He finds Craig Forsyth, whose shot is blocked.

7:39pm

Phil Parkinson is asked by the travelling supporters for a wave, which he does.

7:37pm

Craig Forsyth clears a dangerous low cross from Ashley Vincent after Calvin Andrew sent him clear inside the left channel.

7:35pm

Stephen Darby heads out a deep cross at the far post at the expense of a corner.

7:34pm

Ricky Ravenhill catches Doug Loft late, much to the disgust of the home faithful. No booking though.

7:31pm

Forsyth blazes wide with a right-foot shot from eight yards out after delightful run and low cross from Blair Turgott 

7:29pm

Stephen Darby clears up well after Ashley Vincent threatened to beat him with skill and pace.

7:26pm

Rain has started to fall at Vale Park.

7:24pm

Craig Forsyth hits a vicious low left-footed shot wide from 20 yards

7:23pm

Alan Connell curls a free-kick over the crossbar from 25 yards.

7:20pm

Jon McLaughlin makes a fine save to keep out John McCombe's header

7:19pm

Alan Connell free-kick saved by Vale goalkeeper Chris Neal in the second minute.

7:16pm

City kick-off attacking the home end in the first half. Port Vale attacking the stand housing around 100 or so Bantams supporters.

7:14pm

7:14pm

7:14pm

6:38pm

Port Vale: Neal, Yates, McCombe, Loft, Myrie-Williams, Vincent, Andrew, Morsy, Williamson, McAllister, Chilvers

Subs: Dodds, Taylor, Shuker, Davis, Lloyd

6:35pm

Phil Parkinson made five changes for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint northern quarter-final clash at Port Vale – City’s 29th game of the season.

Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin was recalled at the expense of Matt Duke in between the posts and there were also starts for Tom Naylor, Carl McHugh, Craig Forsyth and Ritchie Jones.

Rory McArdle, James Meredith and Will Atkinson were all rested but there was a very strong-looking bench featuring Nahki Wells, James Hanson, Gary Jones and Nathan Doyle.
 

McLaughlin, Darby, Naylor, Good, McHugh, Turgot, Ravenhill, R Jones, Forsyth, Thompson, Connell
 

Subs: Duke (GK), Hanson, Wells, G Jones, Doyle
 

5:41pm

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5:40pm

5:40pm