Bradford City's problems in the Premiership relegation zone increased at Valley Parade today when Everton beat them with a goal four minutes from the end.

City were pressing hard to score themselves when Gary Naysmith scored Everton's winner after a breakaway move.

It was cruel luck on City who deserved at least a share of the points after a spirited display.

Inspired by caretaker manager Stuart McCall, they enjoyed a lion's share of the play, but once again the vital finish eluded them.

McCall's first team as City caretaker-boss saw two changes from the Charlton defeat which ended Chris Hutchings' 12-match reign.

McCall restored the big names with Benito Carbone, controversially dropped to the bench at The Valley, back for Dean Saunders and Stan Collymore, fit again after his throat infection, replacing Peter Beagrie.

Paul Gascoigne was missing from the Everton line-up after failing to recover from a thigh injury.

David Wetherall led City out as the new skipper with McCall not wearing the armband for the first time in 165 league games.

McCall, who began just in front of the back four, was encouraged by a bright start as Collymore quickly tested Paul Gerrard from distance after Gareth Whalley's strong break.

Ashley Ward cleverly beat Gary Naysmith and David Unsworth with another determined run before Everton created a half-chance for Thomas Gravesen who blazed well over.

Everton won a corner after eight minutes and an uncharacteristic mistake from Matt Clarke nearly gifted them a goal. The keeper spilled Idan Tal's kick but recovered before Campbell could move in.

But City looked dangerous pushing forward and when another run by Whalley was ended with a foul, the ball ran to Jamie Lawrence who lashed it against the bar.

Dan Petrescu cut across the Everton half before laying off to Carbone for a shot well wide and Ward forced a save with a header from Whalley's byline cross.

City were clearly up for it as they chased only their second Premiership win and McCall picked out Collymore with a long sweeping ball. The striker took aim with a low drive which Gerrard blocked with his body.

Collymore and Ward were linking up well in their first game as a partnership and a neat passing move also involving Carbone nearly got Ward in at the near post but Gerrard shovelled the ball off his toes.

Everton were content to play on the break but asked some questions themselves and when Abel Xavier's long free-kick bounced up off Petrescu's knee, Tal headed straight at Clarke.

City won their first corner after half an hour but the move broke down and Everton broke for Stephen Hughes to try his luck from 25 yards.

Clarke was booked by ref Rob Harris for dissent and then Pembridge followed two minutes later, also for arguing.

In first-half injury time, Carbone broke away and rolled the ball into Collymore's path but he had little to aim at and Gerrard smothered by his right post.

HT: City 0, Everton 0

Everton began the second half with American striker Joe-Max Moore as substitue for Tal who had proved effective as he supplied a string of crosses from the left.

The visitors made a positive start without being able to pierce the City defence and soon the Bantams began to put on the pressure. Ward had a shot well saved by goalkeeper Gerrard as the crowd responded to a lively spell of attacking play.

Carbone was fortunate not to be booked after 54 minutes when he caught Gary Naysmith with a late tackle neat the left hand touchline which left him limping. The referee lectured the Italian striker but took no further action.

A smart City move a minute later spelled danger to the Everton defence. Whalley, making his 250th league appearance turned the ball inside Alex Nyarko before slipping the ball into the path of Lawrence who tried to find Ward, but goalkeeper Gerrard came quickly off his line to gather.

Everton had a half shout for a penalty when Wetherall pushed his way past Graveson to clear a flick-on by Moore but the official was unmoved.

Then, Carbone cut in from the left only to be tripped by Pembridge to the left of the penalty area, but the Italian's free kick was easily cleared and Everton found themsleves on a three on two break, but McCall showed a cool head to intercept Graveson's through ball.

Everton brought on Scott Gemmill for Pembridge after 64 minutes and Wetherall needed treatment after a clash with Campbell but was able to continue.

City went close to taking the lead 20 miunutes from time when Carbone's deep cross from the right was head back across goal by Collymore. Lawrence charged in to meet it but his header from six yards out was superbly tipped over the bar by Gerrard.

City made two substitutions in two minutes as they stepped up their search for a goal.

Dean Windass took the place of Petrescu after 77 minutes and three minutes later Welsh international striker Dean Saunders replaced Ward.

Windass was soon in the action as he sent away Nolan down the left and he had two successive crosses cleared before Everton gave away a corner.

Everton also made a substitution after 83 minutes with former Bradford and Spen Valley Boys' striker Danny Cadamarteri replacing Hughes.

The game was poised on a knife edge, but Everton made the vital breakthrough after 86 minutes with a goal by Gary Naysmith.

Moore cut inside Lawrence before shooting for goal. Clarke managed to save the shot, but he could not hold the ball and it rebounded into the path of Naysmith who gleefully hammered into the net. It was a cruel blow for City who had looked the more dangerous side in the second half.

Everton came close to scoring a second goal two minutes from the end, but Cadamarteri right wing cross was just too far in front of Campbell.