GARY Bowyer reckons the bond between City and the Valley Parade fans is growing stronger.

The Bantams beat Carlisle to make it successive come-from-behind home victories to move up to sixth in League Two.

And Bowyer felt the spirit shown by his side is helping to bring them closer to the fans.

He said: “You’re seeing how much they care for the club and the fight they’ve got for the badge.

“As a result of that, it brings the supporters on.

“I thought the noise was absolutely magnificent today.

“It’s always a partnership in my opinion between the supporters and players and it’s getting stronger. They recognise the efforts these lads are putting in.”

Goals from Harry Pritchard, Kelvin Mellor and Zeli Ismail made it three wins out of four for City after they trailed to Olufela Olomola’s opener for Carlisle.

Both sides had a player sent off with Ben Richards-Everton shown a straight red card by referee John Busby for his second-half challenge on Jack Iredale.

Bowyer plans to study the footage before deciding whether to appeal against the defender’s dismissal, which carries a three-game ban.

He added: “The lads are saying Ben didn’t touch him. We’ll have a look at that when we get the slightly better footage before deciding what to do.

“It just made the game a lot more exciting for the neutrals.

“It’s a learning experience for him as well. He didn’t really need to be going in like that.

“Not that it was overly aggressive, but in this day and age it made the referee’s mind up a little bit easier.

“If he hasn’t touched him, then hopefully we might be able to put something in and get it rescinded.”

Winger Dylan Connolly drew praise from his manager after the on-loan Wimbledon man gave full back Iredale a torrid time.

“He’s growing with confidence every minute that he gets,” said Bowyer.

“Dylan was a constant threat. Being greedy, we just need one or two more better end products from him and he knows that himself.

“But his pace gets people off their seats.”