 two of last season's playoffs semifinalists have found themselves way off the pace this year, and though there's a mathematical possibility Bradford could still make the top seven, there's no serious expectation of it. Both Carl Robinson and Graham Alexander have rebuilding to do. Alexander was once one of the key components of Salford's rise, the boss who led them into the EFL. This is the Bradford manager's first trip back to the peninsula since leaving the club in 2020. The hosts with Colin McElhaney, captain of the side for the first time, Matt Smith. Also back in the starting eleven, where Bradford's form has picked up a little bit, seven points from their last three games after a run of four straight defeats that put them out of the playoff running. Looking to win the season on a high, that's right. It's the ball into the middle and Kavana clips the post. Well, Salford on the back foot early here. Right's ball in. Kavana meeting it near post and almost converting. Carl Robinson saying Salford have a big, big summer ahead of them. Trying to make changes to the way that they play before the end of this season. That's led to, he says, a bit of a dip in results. Coming forward now. Chesters. Nice ball in. Chance opening goal. Callum Hendry with it. He had time to pick his spots and put Salford City ahead free right by the penalty spots and makes no mistake. Salford number nine with goal number eight for him this season. It's Walker. Bradford looked for a response. Right. Looking to take on Chesters. He's taken away from goal. He'll still be swung in. Smallwood picking up the loose ball. There you go, OK. Back towards Smallwood. Nicely and it's Cook. And that is a brilliantly timed block from Curtis Tilt. Cook looked for all the world like he was going to find the equaliser here. Tilt there in the nick of time. Smallwood carrying it to halfway. 24 in the move. Right once again looking to do some damage down this left-hand side. Smallwood. Need to turn away from his man. Getting the shot away. And it's deflected behind the corner. Decent delivery. Smith there with the header. He is right. Walking out. Stands up the cross. There you go. He's in there. Still not away. Platt trying to get something on it. Eventually, Salford clear their lines. Well, Salford unconvincing at the back here, but doing just enough to prevent a Bradford City equaliser. Bradford unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Salford, but still a goal behind. Right-hand side. Chance for a cross here. Cook! Wide of the post. And Bradford's top scorer unable to add to his tally of 17 for the season. Really good chance that. The positive for Bradford City is Salford haven't kept a clean sheet for three months. 1-0 win at Crawley. And what was Carl Robinson's second game in charge? Challenge there. And the referee decided to bring this back. Watson bringing down Walker. Smallwood's delivery. Heading across and in. Colliser right on the stroke of half-time. The set-piece routine works the treat for Bradford City. Pretty simple goal in the end. Smallwood's delivery. Platt with the header back across goal. And Kavana adding the finishing touch. Alexander recently saying that the Bradford players are playing and auditioning for their futures at the club as Tilt coming back towards his own goalkeeper. Goodness me! Big chance! And Cairns recovers to deny Kavana. Well, this all went very nearly badly wrong for Salford. It's helped with an awkward ball back. Cairns' clearance. He recovers and saves Salford. Not for the first time this afternoon. It's been told to calm down by the referee. Bradford getting on with this. The short header is clear, but it's running to clear their own lines here. Pointed. It's a good run. It's a good shot. Cairns with the save. Oh, Tilt's off the line. And pulls it past the post. Well, Bradford must be wondering how they're not ahead. Pointed with the first effort. Kavana with the second. Tilt on the line there, positioning himself perfectly. And then as it comes to cut with Salford's slicing clearances. You can't find the net. It just wasn't there. Smallwood able to carry it into the centre circle, gets it back again. And that's a nice ball on the cross. Well, once again, Salford haven't cleared it. Clarkeador going for goal. Takes it on! And it went five to go. Bradford sitting ahead. Winner against Gilliam last week, Halliday. Has he just won it here? It's another case of Salford dallying at the back. Clarkeador with the first effort charged down. But all the bodies had gone towards the door and no one could get towards Halliday. Been to stoppage time now. Going to be garbage to wind up the long throw. Flicked on. And a chance, and it's Morton. There are claims from the fans that maybe there should be a penalty there, but Walker's gathered the ball. And has he just sealed the points? It's the full-time whistle. Three points that Bradford will feel are richly deserved. It took until Brad Halliday striked five minutes from time for Graham Alexander's side to win it. But he'll wonder why they didn't win it more comfortably. An excellent comeback after Callum Hendry giving Salford the lead. Callum Cavanaugh's equaliser coming just before the break. And chances following in the second half until Halliday strike gave Bradford a third win in four. He wins on his return to Salford.