Bolton celebrate Amario Cozier-Duberry's goal against BradfordRex Features

Amario Cozier-Duberry's goal was his 10th of the season

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at Toughsheet Community Stadium

Bolton will take the slenderest of advantages to Bradford on Thursday evening after carving out a deserved win in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

Amario Cozier-Duberry scored the winner with a lovely left-footed curler from 15 yards after Bolton striker Ruben Rodrigues had been unable to take Ibrahim Cissoko's cross in his stride.

And Cozier-Duberry should have made it 2-0 seconds later, but his low right-footed effort from a similar angle came back off the post after beating City keeper Sam Walker.

The goal proved to be the only shot on target, by either side, in a game that was high on energy but lacking in quality in the final third.

Both sides had strong penalty appeals waved away by referee Robert Rock - who started as the fourth official but replaced the injured Martin Coy five minutes into the second half.

City's Kayden Jackson was nudged over by Chris Forino in the Bolton box when through on goal, while Rodrigues' claim for a spot-kick after he went down was also dismissed by Rock.

After a bright Bradford start, Bolton went on to dominate the first half, with 75% of the possession and eight shots, but none on target. The frustration of the home fans was made clear five minutes before the break with groans following captain Eoin Toal lifting a 25-yarder harmlessly over the crossbar.

City's best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell early on to Antoni Sarcevic but his effort, after cutting in from the left, was blocked. And he also had a chance at the start of the second half but screwed his shot well wide.

But the Bantams, who have won just seven away games this season, will feel this tie is intriguingly poised, particularly given their strong home form, with 15 wins and just three defeats at Valley Parade.

Despite Bolton continuing to dominate large chunks of a more entertaining second half, with Cozier-Duberry a constant threat down the right wing and Cissoko on the left, they were unable to seriously threaten the Bantams' goal.

They will go to Bradford for the second leg with similar away struggles and a record of just six wins, but they are tough to beat on their travels, having drawn 10 matches, and know a stalemate would be enough to send them to Wembley for the final.

'We're going there to win the game'

Bolton manager Steven Schumacher, speaking to BBC Radio Manchester:

"We're glad to get ourselves in front, that was the objective in the tie, to be ahead going to Valley Parade, so overall I'm pleased.

"The goal was a real moment of quality from Amario, which we've seen him do so many times for us this year.

"We spoke at half-time about staying patient, and coming in from the right hand side because the way Bradford play the central areas get congested and it was hard to find space but he found a ball from the opposite winger and dispatched a great goal.

"We can't complain, it was a tough game, glad to get another clean sheet but it's only half-time. We've got another tough game in an intimidating atmosphere.

"We've had a good dress rehearsal at it [a recent 1-1 draw at Bradford], we know what to expect on Thursday, they have to come at us, they're going to put us under pressure, we know that's what Graham's [Alexander] teams do but we're going there trying to win the game."

'We know what we create at home' - reaction

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds:

"It was a tough game and a game we expected, lots of possession from Bolton and we had to work hard with our defensive structure.

"We had some good moments and I feel we had the better chances to take the lead but to come away to Bolton and concede one shot on target, the goal, shows great discipline.

"We're disappointed to be losing 1-0 in the tie because we wanted more than that but we've come from behind in many games, and we've got a full game to get back into it. We know what we create at home and it's all to play for.

"The atmosphere was great or us to play in, I didn't see anyone losing their composure, we made some good decisions.

"We peppered their goal late on. I don't think we needed to show that urgency but I love that spirit and commitment, and the supporters do too. They know we're still in this tie and I can't wait for Valley Parade on Thursday."

Related topics