Bradford City 2 Gillingham 1: League 2 match report from Valley Parade - Bantams turn it around after Jayden Clarke opener

For the second weekend running Gillingham were beaten despite taking the lead.

A week after Accrington turned it around to win 2-1 at Priestfield, Bradford City did the same at Valley Parade. Jayden Clarke’s opener was cancelled out with first-half goals from Neill Byrne and Jack Shepherd.

It’s a fourth straight defeat in the league for the Gills who host out-of-form Newport County at Priestfield next on Tuesday night.

Gillingham manager Mark Bonner made six changes to his team for the trip to Bradford.

Armani Little was out injured, as was Elliott Nevitt and goalkeeper Glenn Morris. Jack Nolan, Shad Ogie and Marcus Wyllie were dropped to the bench.

It was a chance for several to put in their claim for a regular place in the team after a run of three straight defeats ahead of the weekend game. The line-up had a retro feel to it, one which didn’t have any of the summer signings in it.

Gillingham had an early let off when Calum Kavanagh thought he’d put Bradford ahead after just six minutes, turning the ball home after Turner could only get a touch on a cross to deflect it into the path of Shepherd, who sent the ball goalwards. An offside decision saved them.

Aside from the disallowed goal, it had been a bright start from the Gills and they took the lead - the first time Bradford had gone behind at home since the start of the season.

George Lapslie got the Gills on the front foot, played it on to former Bradford midfielder Tim Dieng and he cut the ball back for Clarke, who poked the ball home in off the post.

Gillingham almost had a second, with Lapslie again involved, winning the ball in his own half before crossing low and causing issues for Brad Halliday, who blocked Hawkins from getting a touch but almost scored