GARY Bowyer hailed City’s second win in four days tonight and said: “That was a big performance.”

The Bantams jumped up to second in League Two after beating Stevenage 1-0 with an own goal from home captain Tom Soares.

He headed Connor Wood’s corner into his own net before Bowyer’s side stood firm under second half pressure.

Bowyer said: “Did we play at our prettiest? No. But we dug in with real character.

“We showed old-fashioned values and those are the victories I enjoy the most. I’m absolutely buzzing for it.

“Vaughany (James Vaughan) had two good chances and their lad made a good save from him.

“Then we get the goal. Connor has come in and his delivery has been fantastic.

“He backed up Saturday and the pace with which he put the ball in caught out the defender.

“We couldn’t get a foothold in the game second half with the ball. Without it, we showed unbelievable bravery, determination and desire.

“That’s a big performance in terms of strengthening the mentality and belief and the characters that we’ve now brought in.”

Richard O’Donnell produced a superb save in the second half to deny Danny Newton’s header as he claimed a third clean sheet in the new season.

Bowyer added: “He made one very good save that obviously got us three points in the end.

“He’s done terrific since coming back and he’s got to build on that now, along with the rest of the back four.”