MOST City bosses would have loved John Coleman’s record at Valley Parade.

In seven previous visits to West Yorkshire, Accrington’s veteran boss had never tasted defeat.

But the Bantams bogey man was vanquished in some style today as the revival continues to gather pace.

It seems Coleman isn’t the only manager who likes playing in front of City’s big crowds – David Hopkin has clearly got the bug.

He had spoken beforehand about how his team were starting to enjoy home games – and then watched them claim a fourth win in a row on their own patch.

It is the first time City have managed that since Phil Parkinson’s side were hurtling down the home straight on the way to the 2016 play-offs.

And without getting too giddy, it feels just as good as that right now.

A fourth win in five games – an explosive burst of form punctuated by that one unjust setback at Sunderland – has once more lifted the Bantams above the line in the League One drop zone.

It may only be on goal difference, for now, but what a difference they have made in that particular department by turning round a plus 12 differential since December 15.

There was just one area of concern for Hopkin and another bouncing crowd with the sight of Lewis O’Brien going off injured shortly after opening the scoring with a cracker.

His fate in the coming days will be watched as anxiously as that of fellow loanee Jack Payne, who delivered his standard eye-catching display amid the growing rumours of interest in his future.

But City have certainly earned their extra days off now as they sit out the weekend action before facing Barnsley on January 12.

And Hopkin can step up his efforts to be active in the transfer window between now and then from a growing position of strength.

In the meantime, the enforced break for the FA Cup should also hopefully help to clear up the minor niggles that are currently limiting the manager’s hand.

A recurrence of Jim O’Brien’s hamstring injury meant one enforced change from the side that had brushed aside Rochdale.

The timing of the problem, just a week before his short-term deal is up, may not do the former free agent any favours.

With Hope Akpan not over his tight calf, skipper Anthony O’Connor slotted into the holding role in front of the back four. George Miller’s stunning strike at the weekend earned a recall up front alongside Eoin Doyle.

Luca Colville had been pencilled in to return but was not quite ready so there was another very light look to the City bench.

The fact Hopkin went for teenage midfielder Jake Maltby over Josh Wright, Joe Riley and a fit-again Alex Jones as the extra sub made it clear how far they have slipped down the City pecking order.

It would be no surprise if most, if not all, of them are on the move before the end of the month.

The game began in scruffy fashion but Miller showed his persistence to panic Connor Ripley as the Stanley keeper looked to shepherd a ball out of play by the corner flag. He then kicked the ball to prevent a quick City throw-in and got the afternoon’s first booking.

Accrington had settled better but other than a brief flicker of panic when Offrande Zanzala got goal-side of Paul Caddis, they did not muster a threat on City’s goal.

And it was the in-form hosts who struck the first blow on 21 minutes – and how.

As Payne began to see more of the ball, his fierce drive was headed over his own bar by defender Mark Hughes.

Accrington’s escape was temporary as Payne took the corner short to O’Brien, who had only one thing on his mind. With space to exploit, he curled a lethal finish into the far top corner.

Valley Parade rejoiced as Miller threatened more but his shot deflected straight through to Ripley.

Having failed to stop O’Brien by fair means, Accrington resorted to foul with an ugly studs-up lunge from Zanzala on half way.

The striker saw a straight red while the City youngster writhed on the floor in agony.

Accrington’s afternoon continued to implode as the Bantams doubled their advantage.

David Ball was the instigator with a snaking run along the byline before his cross-shot was palmed out. But the danger remained very much alive as Doyle pounced on the loose ball to crash home his fourth goal in five games.

“We’re Bradford City, we score when we want” boomed the Kop as the Valley Parade audience settled in for another goal-fest in this remarkable current run.

But Accrington’s 10 men briefly had other ideas with Sam Finley rapping the post past a beaten Richard O’Donnell.

O’Brien was still struggling from the effects of Zanzala’s challenge and dropped to the floor once more before being forced off after 35 minutes.

It was a real blow to see the talented youngster hobble away but City’s momentum did not appear to dip and Doyle tested Ripley once more with a low side-foot shot.

Accrington tempers flared as O’Connor clattered into Finley, Coleman rushing from the dug-out as a bout of push and shove broke out before the City man’s yellow card.

Coleman hauled off both full backs at half-time and added an extra striker – it made scant difference.

City needed only three minutes of the second half to strike once more – just as they had done at Spotland.

It was another emphatic strike and came from an unexpected source. Ball and Payne combined to feed the ball to Connor Wood and the substitute struck the sweetest of left-foot drives beyond Ripley.

What a way to score your first goal in senior football!

The crowd were greedy for more and after Adam Chicksen wasted a promising break, Ripley had to sweep the ball off the feet of Doyle as the striker burrowed into the six-yard box.

Payne warmed Ripley’s hands with a well-struck angled shot and the keeper then pulled off a stunning reaction block to deny Miller from close range after more teasing work from Payne.

But City had maintained their mid-season momentum – and the rocketing goal difference is enough to take them once more above the bottom four.

They are now two points nearer to 16th than last spot. The Hopkin resurrection marches on.

Accrington jinx? What jinx?