A FLUKE goal sent Lancaster City tumbling to their third defeat in four games on Saturday and put the club's play-off hopes in greater jeopardy.

A spirited City were left to rue their misfortune when Tristan Whitman's 57th minute effort got caught in the wind, bamboozled goalkeeper Mark Thornley and trickled into the net.

Bradford grew in confidence from this point and outplayed City in the last half-hour, scoring twcie more.

Barrie Stimpson made two changes after his side's 1-1 draw at Rossendale. Spanish student Aitor Mandragon replaced Tom Entwisle and made his first City start at left-back.

Striker Mark Jackson dropped to the bench because of an ankle problem and made way for Jimmy Love.

City started brightly and created their first meaningful chance after just three minutes. Midfielder Aaron Helliwell saw a low left-footed shot parried away by Jon Worsnop.

The visitors continued to unsettle the hosts and came close four minutes later when Neil Marshall headed wide from Michael Stringfellow's free-kick.

Blustery conditions made life difficult for both sides but City looked more dangerous despite playing against the wind.

A couple of probing corners from Ryan-Zico Black caused problems for the home defence who were anxious to clear.

City centre-back Iain Swan blazed a shot over from distance on 26 minutes and striker Dave Foster had a venomous effort blocked just before half-time.

The second half began in a similar vein as City initially looked more likely to score without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

Stringfellow and Love struck efforts in the early exchanges and Helliwell's 54th minute corner was fumbled by home stopper Worsnop.

But the hosts took the lead three minutes later when debutant Whitman was given too much space to shoot just outside the box. The striker's shot appeared to be heading over but the ball looped over a helpless Thornley before finding the net.

City manager Stimpson bolstered City's attack by introducing striker Jackson to the fray in place of winger Marshall. But all of City's subsequent attempts were either straight at goalkeeper Worsnop or off target.

Meanwhile Bradford began to dominate and the warning signs were evident for City when goalkeeper Thornley produced a smart save to deny Nathan Wharton.

The hosts ruthlessly trebled their lead in the dying moments. With four minutes left, sloppy man-marking enabled Whitman to head home a second from substitute Chris Gaghan's free-kick.

Home centre-back Paul Stoneman soon made it 3-0 when he slotted the ball into the bottom corner from close range.

Lancaster City: Thornley, Rigby, Mandragon, Stringfellow, Swan, Uberschar, Black (Entwisle 76), Helliwell, Foster, Love, Marshall. (Jackson 67). Unused sub: Heffernan.

Referee: Christopher Akers

Attendance: 316