Chesterfield 2, Bradford City 1 -At least they are back in business on the pitch.

Ninety-four days after signing off last season at Walsall, the Bantams went back to work in the primitive confines of Chesterfield's Saltergate.

And for that we must all be grateful. After what has gone on the past two tortuous months - and what is still to come before the creditors give their verdict a week tomorrow - it came as a massive relief to see some football again.

Results don't matter in pre-season. And last night it mattered even less to the loyal band of followers housed in the corner of the main stand.

The simple fact that City had returned to their day job again - even if three-quarters of the side were not getting paid for it - was worth celebrating alone.

It was no glorious comeback and despite a rousing final 15 minutes, City were beaten by the better, hungrier team. Chesterfield were playing their third friendly and the extra match-sharpness showed. But there were positives for Nicky Law to ponder after his first game back at the club he left for Valley Parade seven months ago.

The real shining light was the performance of Andy Gray, the one-time Leeds winger who is stating a strong case for a move to City. At the moment, of course, the Bantams can do nothing - apart from hope his excellent form does not alert predators.

Gray's trickery and skill was instrumental in City's best attacking moves. Like all good wingers, every time he got the ball there was a tingle of anticipation that something might happen.

Law may have expected the odd cat call from the Spireite faithful but instead received a generous ovation from the meagre 1,183 crowd.

Any thoughts of a gentle warm-up were tossed out the window as Danny Cadamarteri tangled with no-nonsense central defender Steve Blatherwick.

The Nicky Law lookalike had already swung and missed at the City defender before wrestling him to the ground. Cadamarteri responded by leaving his boot in late in a tackle with Kevin Dawson who reacted angrily by shoving him away by the throat.

As things continued to bubble around the home penalty area, City were suddenly punished by a stunning goal in the 29th-minute from former Huddersfield defender Rob Edwards.

Taking an angled pass from Martin Booty in his stride, Edwards unleashed a fierce drive across Davison from the corner of the City box.

The silliness continued at the other end and Cadamarteri was booked.

Six minutes into the second half they were rocked again. The three-man backline which Law was experimenting with was punctured once again by a lofted pass from Glyn Hurst, the two-goal Stockport destroyer of Valley Parade last October.

Allott looked yards offside as he brought it down but there was no flag and his finish was emphatic.

Law made four changes including taking off the ring-rusty Robert Taylor.

The enthusiastic Gray drilled just wide to the right before a couple more subs appeared. Gary Locke was one of those for Kearney and City instantly took the game by the scruff of the neck.

The Scot whistled an effort just over the bar before launching into a driving run through the Chesterfield box. Reaching the byline, he dug out a juicy cross which Gray headed past former Bantams loan keeper Carl Muggleton.