Bradford's promotion hopes suffered a blow as they lost 1-0 to Port Vale at Valley Parade on Saturday.

Vale's winner came three minutes after half-time when Paul Marshall passed to David Howland to score from 10 yards. out.

Bradford dominated possession and Michael Boulding, skipper Graeme Lee and Steve Jones all went close to scoring, but Vale held firm.

City gave home debuts to Keith Gillespie and new on-loan signing Paul Mullin but the Bantams lost at home in the league for only the second time this season. It was also their fourth loss in eleven days.

They are eighth in League Two, a point off the play-offs.

Bradford boss Stuart McCall said, "We have seven games left and our aim is to finish seventh in the table and we are one point off that," he said.

"You change your focus through the season and you've got to be realistic. I want to go to Wembley for the play-off final and take 30,000 fans with us. We've got seven games left and 21 points to play for.

"We are one point away from where we want to be and where we can realistically aim for.

"I know we've lost games on the bounce and obviously it's the wrong time to have this sort of run but I say 'let us give it our best shot in the last seven games and hopefully luck might change for us."