A lacklustre Town lost a game they really ought to have won after going one ahead against Bradford at Portman Road. Darren Bent put the Blues in the lead before a stunning freekick from Paul Evans and a late winner from loanee Michael Proctor gave the Bantams the points.

Town made a couple of changes from the side which drew 1-1 at Millwall, Finidi George making his first start of the season and Jim Magilton returning to the centre of midfield. Marcus Bent dropped out, as did Tommy Miller. With Finidi starting on the left, Darren Ambrose began on the right with Darren Bent in attack with Marcus Stewart.

It was Stewart who would have the first opportunity of the game, heading over in just the first minute. Bradford's first effort saw Proctor put the ball over.

Town were putting on most of the pressure and Holland, who received a big welcome from Town supporters, had a shot saved by former Town loanee Davison.

The Blues only had to wait until the 13th minute to go ahead. A smart move involving Stewart and Wright ended with Ambrose crossing from the right and Bent heading home at the far post.

From there Town should have gone on to victory, however, there seemed to be decrease in urgency after the goal and Bradford came more and more into the game.

Only four minutes after Town's goal the visitors appeared to come close to an equaliser, Gray having a close-range effort after a corner saved by Marshall, although the linesman's flag had already been raised to indicate that the corner had gone out of play as it was crossed.

On 18 Cadamarteri hit a shot over when well placed after Gaardsøe had failed to cut out a cross from the right.

Worse was to come in the 23rd minute. Hermann Hreidarsson and Ashley Ward spent most of the match all over one another and referee Stretton seemed to give out the freekicks evenly. On this occasion it was Ward's turn, and Paul Evans stepped up and curled a quality kick over the wall with Marshall nowhere to put the sides on terms.

Town switched Finidi and Ambrose from one flank to the other and Ambrose hit a shot which was saved by Davison.

On 29 Clapham got beyond the defence but his cross eluded everyone, and was symptomatic of much of Town's performance; nice build-up, but a lack of penetration or final ball.

That's not to say that Bradford weren't having chances of their own. Marshall saved from Proctor and two minutes later Gray sent a shot just wide.

Darren Bent went close twice as the half started to ebb away, a header wide and a shot which was deflected for a corner. Before the break Magilton also saw a shot deflect wide.

The second half started as the first had ended, with a shot from Jim Magilton. This time he was well wide with his effort.

In the 50th minute Darren Bent came close to his second of the game. A long ball forward drew Davison off his line and the keeper cleared weakly under pressure from Stewart. Davison's clearance reached Finidi George who sent in a cross which Bent got his head to but which Bower put over the bar.

The 51st minute saw an unusual incident when Peter Atherton found his way in to the book for entering the field of play after an injury without the referee's permission. He appeared to argue that the linesman had told him to come back on, but this failed to impress Mr Stretton. Shortly afterwards Atherton's injury meant that he had to be substituted.

Blues' old boy Gus Uhlenbeek was largely ignored by the home crowd save for a few boos after a solid challenge on a grounded Jamie Clapham. The Dutchman reminded Town fans of his powerful shot on 52, Andy Marshall saving.

Andy Myers was lucky not to receive a card or at least a freekick a minute later as he blatantly bodychecked Finidi George. Shortly afterwards the Nigerian hit a shot which was deflected wide as Town continued to have chances, even if the majority were of the more speculative variety.

On 63 Fabian Wilnis replace Finidi before Ambrose had an effort again saved by Davison.

Marcus Stewart had a good opportunity in the 70th minute when Jim Magilton put him through with a superb ball. Stewart hit his shot well but too close to Davison who saved well.

Closer to scoring though were Bradford as Evans unleashed another powerful shot, this time from around 40 yards in open play. Andy Marshall was equal to it and tipped the ball on to the bar, for the game's best save.

Cadamarteri hit a shot wide before Town made another switch, Marcus Bent joining a three-pronged attack with Jermaine Wright coming off.

Despite probably having most of the possession Town had been hardly convincing and a breakaway goal from the Bantams looked to be on the cards. And in the 82nd minute it duly came, Proctor turning Gaardsøe on the edge of the area and beating Marshall with a well struck shot.

It was now panic stations for Town and finally it appeared to dawn on some of the players that this game wasn't the cakewalk that some had suggested. The last ten minutes or so saw Town attack relentlessly.

Marcus Bent hitting a shot over the bar and Darren Ambrose just failing to get to a Darren Bent cross. Town were getting close and with a minute left on the clock Marcus Stewart headed an Ambrose cross on to the bar.

Even then that wasn't it, and the four minutes of injury time saw a scramble where both Ambrose and Stewart had efforts blocked and Darren Bent sent a corner just wide in one final attempt at an equaliser.

Town's first defeat of the season and they have only themselves to blame. Once they had scored the early goal they ought to have gone on to add a second, instead they took their foot off the gas and allowed the Bantams back into it.

Bradford always looked up for a battle as they must this season, but for Town there seemed too many players who seemed to think that another goal would come along eventually.

Unfortunately despite some pretty stuff (and some less so) the goal didn't come and as so often in previous First Division seasons Town were caught by a sucker punch in the latter stages and Bradford got a win which, on attitude, they deserved.

Photo: Action Images

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