In a game of few clear cut chances it was the home side that did most to deserve the points against visitors whose attacking threat was reduced when winger, Garry Thompson, had to go off with an injured cheek following a first half clash.

Bradford nicked the only goal of the game shortly after the re-start and, though they worked hard, Morecambe didn't look to have the cutting edge needed to turn the game round.

Morecambe had survived a few first half scares to go in level at the interval.

The first clear chance of the game fell to the home side after seven minutes when a wayward backpass from Jon Newby led to Barry Conlon breaking into the Shrimps' area and firing over the bar.

Then, on 10 minutes, Joe Colbeck hit a quick free kick which may have been going just wide but Scott Davies took no chances and dived to push it past the post.

Bradford continued to create the better early chances and Eddie Johnson sneaked in to hit the side netting after Conlon flicked on a free kick.

After 22 minutes Jon Newby robbed David Wetherall and made a surge towards the box but his clipped cross was cut out by Loach before it could reach strike-partner, Matty Blinkhorn.

Another neat ball by Conlon after 28 minutes fed in Kyle Nix who burst into the box but his shot on the run was well saved by Davies diving to his right.

It looked like Bradford had eventually got the lead their pressure deserved in the 32nd minute when a corner was met by Conlon's bald head which directed the ball onto the bar. It fell to Omar Daley who skied it over from just five yards.

Gary Thompson left the pitch immediately after the incident for stitches to a cheek injury and was replaced by Paul Lloyd.

With five minutes of the second half gone Adam Yates forced a corner on the right and when it was hit into the box, Dave Artell rose above everyone but could only direct his header over the bar.

But on 54 minutes it was the home side that took the lead when an attempted clearance from Adam Yates was intercepted and played in to Joe Colbeck. He hit the ball across and although it seemed to have been blocked it fell loose and Eddie Johnson followed up to bundle the ball home.

Morecambe worked hard to get back into the game and Jamie Burns came close with a low strike from 25 yards after 81 minutes which Loach had to get down well to save.

At the other end Rhodes blazed a shot over when he picked up a long ball that dropped over the Shrimps' defence.

Morecambe pressed again and when Yates whipped in a cross from the right it only needed a touch but neither Curtis nor Blinkhorn could get to the ball.

Shrimps fans were yelling for a penalty with five minutes to go when Blinkhorn was felled by Wetherall but the ref waved away the protests.

Right at the death, Craig Stanley could have nicked a point but his 20 yard volley sailed inches wide.

Morecambe manager, Sammy McIlroy, announced an unchanged team for the trip to Bradford.

Carl Baker, who many thought may have been recalled for today's game, missed the game with a slight ankle injury.

Skipper, Jim Bentley, was also left out as his hamstring continues to niggle and Danny Adams is still on suspension.

Morecambe were looking to continue the run of good performances which started with a game they should have won at Darlington and carried on with the 5-1 rout of Rotherham last week.

Former Shrimps loanee keeper, Scott Loach was between the sticks for Bradford.

Bradford City: Loach, Heckingbottom, Wetherall, Bower, Daley (Rhodes 59), Johnson, Conlon, Colbeck, Penford, Nix, Starosta.
Subs: Williams, Rhodes, Topp, Medley, Moncur.

Booked Conlon

Morecambe: Davies, Yates, Artell, Stanley, Curtis, Thompson (Lloyd 33), Drummond, Burns, Newby Newby (Hunter 63), Blinkhorn, McStay.

Subs: Jalal, Hunter, Allen, Lloyd, Grand.

Booked Curtis, Newby, Blinkhorn

Att: 13,563 (468 from Morecambe)