Trueman and Sellars make winning start as Bantams bosses

“TRUEMAN and Sellars Bradford army” – shout it out loud and keep repeating.

That was the one missing element as the Bantams kept the winning momentum rolling in their first appearance since the management duo were given the gig on a permanent basis.

But even without that raucous reception that they so richly deserve at Valley Parade, Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars carried on where they left off in the interim honeymoon period.

Trueman has insisted that nothing changes with the upgrading of their job title – and that was certainly evident with City claiming their eighth win in a dozen outings under the pair’s leadership.

This one did not come easy and the Bantams had to be patient before Callum Cooke settled matters with an 80th-minute penalty that threatened to rip through the net.

How a full Kop would have loved that.

The latest win – that’s five in six now in this magnificent run – also lifted City into the top half of the table. The gap to the play-offs is just a tantalising five points.

The new bosses made their first big selection call in dropping Saturday’s two-goal hero Andy Cook to the bench.

Although Danny Rowe’s promotion in his place was probably something already factored in given the heavy schedule City are currently facing.

The introduction of Cook and Ollie Crankshaw just after the hour would make a decisive impact.

The first half had been a stodgy affair as both sides struggled with the blustery conditions.

Dan Kemp was tripped by Anthony O’Connor 25 yards out but Orient’s evergreen Jobi McAnuff, significantly older than both City managers at 39, saw his free-kick deflected wide of the post.

City did create the first genuine chance on 20 minutes. Levi Sutton, Charles Vernam and Rowe were all involved in the break before Gareth Evans worked space for a low drive that Lawrence Vigouroux fielded at the second attempt.

The Bantams started to take control but several promising moments on the edge of the box fizzled out with a loose final ball that allowed Orient to shut the door.

Cooke, in such good form right now, was at the hub of most things as the hosts probed for a way through.

But former West Ham winger Kemp looked a handful and drifted inside to bend a warning shot wide of the post at the other end.

City’s approach was a bit ponderous against a packed defence – and they could have caused themselves problems by conceding back-to-back free-kicks in shooting positions.

Neither came to anything, other than a booking for Levi Sutton, but it added to the feeling that their play lacked its usual zip.

“Keep going” urged Niall Canavan but Orient had clearly done their homework, keeping numbers behind the ball. The Evans effort had been the only shot on target in a stodgy half.

But City instantly had the chance to break the deadlock on the resumption.

A long kick from Sam Hornby caught out the white-shirted backline and presented Rowe with a sudden, unexpected opening for his third goal for the club. But he seemed to hesitate and his attempted lob was easily claimed by Vigouroux.

Callum Cooke hammers home City's winning penalty to make it five wins out of six

On a night when opportunities had been at a premium, it was a gilt-edged one gone begging.

But there was a welcome edge about City and Cooke set up Evans for a shot that squirmed through to the keeper.

Vernam also failed to find the power to test Vigouroux before there was the inevitable movement from the dug-out just after the hour. Cook came on for Rowe and Crankshaw replaced Evans.

It could have been the perfect substitution as the winger collected Cooke’s pass and danced into the box. He fired towards the bottom corner but it was superbly kept out by Vigouroux.

Cook dived to meet Elliot Watt’s in-swinging free-kick but headed wide – and his loud appeals for a push were waved away.

City were getting closer – and finally got that elusive break 10 minutes from time.

Crankshaw’s invigorating presence again caused panic and he was knocked down by former Bantam Adam Thompson. Adcock pointed to the spot – and Cooke emphatically did the rest with a rocket into the roof of the net.

CITY: Hornby 6, A O’Connor 6, P O’Connor 7, Canavan 7, Wood 6, Sutton 6, Watt 6, Vernam 6 (Stevens 75min), Cooke 8 (Donaldson 89min), Evans 6 (Crankshaw 63min, 7), Rowe 6 (Cook 63min, 7). Subs (not used): Cousin-Dawson, Scales, O’Donnell.

LEYTON ORIENT: Vigouroux 8, Akinola 6, Thompson 6, Happe 7, Brophy 6, Freeman 6, Cisse 6 (Dayton 88min), McAnuff 6, Wilkinson 7, Johnson 6, Kemp 7 (Abrahams 75min). Subs (not used): Sergeant, Widdowson, Coulson, Young, Turley.

CITY MAN OF MATCH: Callum Cooke