St Mirren 0 Bradford City 1

BILLY Clarke laughed about the “long” week of isolation stuck with 20 blokes in Scotland.

But Phil Parkinson’s routine of taking the squad away in pre-season has proved a tried and trusted method.

And it seems that swapping their usual trip to Dublin for a foray north of the border has once again ticked all the boxes for training and team bonding purposes.

The week away ended in winning fashion on Saturday, with Clarke opening his pre-season account when he coolly dispatched a long pass from Billy Knott.

City could, perhaps should, have extended their advantage but this was a decent test against a young St Mirren side who themselves knocked the ball around tidily, the busy Paul McMullan in particular, without creating too much.

When they did open up the visitors, Ben Williams proved equal to the task with the best save of the afternoon to keep out a low drive from Steven Mallan.

Williams, the man still in possession of the starter’s jersey as the hunt for another keeper continues, then sprung up to deny former Burnley striker Steven Thompson with the follow-up.

Both sides were frustrated by the woodwork but it was just the sort of game City wanted at this stage as the pre-season schedule kicks up a gear.

And it was played on a magnificent surface that showed absolutely no sign of any wear and tear at the final whistle. St Mirren have certainly thrown down the gauntlet to Valley Parade groundsman Mick Doyle as we await the first outing on the new and improved home pitch next weekend.

As expected, Phil Parkinson named a stronger side for the final outing of the tour. Luke Hendrie was the only starting trialist – as the only available right back with Tony McMahon’s tight thigh not risked and Stephen Darby still a while off.

Alan Sheehan filled the left central slot that remains a topic of conjecture as Parkinson still waits for a firm answer from his specific target.

The Irishman got a little bit fancy at times but his partnership with Rory McArdle generally muffled the aerial threat of the ageing Thompson, who scored four Premier League goals in his time at Turf Moor.

Mark Marshall and Filipe Morais were held back until the mass changes on the hour mark so Dylan Mottley-Henry got another decent opportunity to demonstrate his raw potential.

It didn’t always come off for the first-year pro but his speed will be an asset and he skipped past left back Sean Kelly on a couple of occasions. He is one to keep an eye on.

Assistant boss Steve Parkin said: “Dylan has been blessed with pace. I think he needs to learn the position better but his general demeanour and the way he worked all week has been good.”

Josh Morris was nominally named on the left but prefers to work inside and pop up in the opposing box. His presence in that more central attacking role is sure to keep Knott on his toes.

But it was Knott with the assist on 15 minutes that break the early deadlock.

Home keeper Mark Ridgers looked flappy at crosses and James Hanson had already seen a goal-bound header blocked in front of the line.

Williams, who had sat out the Motherwell game, showed no sign of ring rust with his double save before Knott spotted Clarke lurking with intent deep in St Mirren territory.

His accurate delivery was confidently gathered by the Irishman, who took his time to commit Ridgers before sliding home his first goal since the last-day winner at Crewe in May.

City threatened more before the break. Sheehan’s free-kick narrowly cleared the bar and a fierce drive from Morris was deflected to safety by a lunging Jack Baird.

Clarke went even closer to a second soon after the break. Hanson controlled Sheehan’s long ball and his strike partner’s half-volley rattled the bar from 18 yards out.

After the standard procession of substitutions, amusingly overseen by the man on the Saints microphone who made sure they formed an orderly queue, City injected more pace in the left-flank pairing of Greg Leigh and Mark Marshall.

Chris Routis was put off enough by a late contact to head over from close range, Luke James saw his snap-shot beaten away by Ridgers and Morais screwed a cross-shot just past the far post.

Alan Gow belatedly looked to ruin City’s third clean sheet in a row but his free-kick bounced off the top of the bar.

CITY: Williams, Hendrie, McArdle (Saunders 61), Sheehan (Balatoni 61), Meredith (Leigh 61), Mottley-Henry (Wright 71), Knott (Routis 61), Liddle (Fotheringham 61), Morris (Marshall 61), Clarke (Morais 61), Hanson (James 61). Sub (not used): Cracknell.