Report: Ten-man Bradford City beaten by promoted Doncaster

ADEN Baldwin was sent off as City’s hopes of automatic promotion were left hanging by a thread with a defeat at jubilant Doncaster.

The home side’s 2-1 victory in the lunchtime derby clash means they will be playing League One football next season – and fans swarmed on the pitch to celebrate.

But the Bantams are now sweating on Accrington pulling off a surprise at Walsall to cling on to third spot.

City made one change from Chesterfield as Romoney Crichlow came in for Jack Shepherd, who was not in the squad.

The start was predictably fast and furious with Alex Pattison firing the first effort well over the bar.

But the Bantams had a massive escape on 25 minutes.

Jordan Gibson, getting jeered by the away fans behind the goal, rattled the post and the ball rebounded off Sam Walker’s back before Brad Halliday could hack it away off the line.

Jamie Sterry’s shot was deflected wide as Doncaster’s pressure continued to build – and the breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute.

Luke Molyneux’s deep corner was nodded towards goal by Tom Anderson, who was too strong for Neill Byrne, and Rob Street flicked home from five yards out.

That sent the place into raptures but City nearly hit back with Pattison’s volley from Tayo Adaramola’s cross well tipped over by England-under 21 keeper Ted Sharman-Lowe.

It had been Doncaster’s half – but City were plunged into deeper trouble as the players were leaving the field.

Baldwin launched into a furious verbal assault on referee Ross Joyce which saw him shown a yellow card and then a red for carrying it on before Walker dragged him away down the tunnel.

It was a moment of stupidity from the experienced defender to reduce his team to 10 men for the second half.

Graham Alexander brought on Tyreik Wright and George Lapslie at the break and switched to a 4-4-1 formation.

There was an early threat as Harry Clifton guided Gibson’s cross wide of the far post and the ex-City winger scuffed a shot straight at Walker.

You could sense a slight unease among the home fans while it remained 1-0, although City struggled to threaten anything.

That nearly changed on 77 minutes as Kavanagh nodded on and Wright got there just ahead of Sharman-Lowe but the keeper blocked his flick.

Kavanagh then made way for Michael Mellon while Tommy Leigh, who had missed a big chance late on at Chesterfield, was given another run-out for the tiring Sarcevic.

City were then handed a glorious opportunity to level when Lapslie was flattened by James Maxwell in the corner of the Doncaster box.

Lapslie held the ball before the penalty was taken but it was Wright who stepped up – only to see his spot-kick confidently pushed away by Sharman-Lowe.

That sparked some disorder in the corner of the ground separating home and away fans and play was briefly held up as police ran across.

And Doncaster immediately put the game to bed from the restart.

Sharman-Lowe’s goal kick was flicked on by Ethan Ennis and fellow sub Billy Sharp scored his ninth career goal against the Bantams with a firm finish across Walker.

There was still time for City to pull one back as Crichlow turned home a long throw from Halliday but it was too late to salvage anything.

Port Vale's 2-0 win at Wimbledon also saw them clinch an automatic spot. That leaves City and Walsall battling it out for the last one - with only a point between them ahead of the Saddlers' 3pm kick-off.

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