A goal in the first half and two in the second gave Notts County a 3-0 victory over the Bantams at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Scorers Macaulay Langstaff and Alassana Jatta (2) ensured victory for the Magpies on a disappointing night for City who proved unable to take advantage of a strong start.
The Bantams started brightly, pressing County’s backline to force some early chances with Richie Smallwood testing Luca Ashby-Hammond in the Notts County net inside the opening 10 minutes.
However, Notts County broke the deadlock just two minutes later as Macaulay Langstaff pounced on a deflected cross in the six-yard box to put the visitors 1-0 to the good after 13 minutes.
City struggled to create any clear-cut chances following this, with Andy Cook’s tame effort across goal on the 26th minute and Tyler Smith’s shot a minute later the hosts' best opportunities.
County could well have doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark were it not for Sam Walker’s fine save from Lewis Macari’s shot struck just outside the City box.
Another tame hit on a free-kick just outside the area from Cook and a high shot from Lewis Richards just before half-time rounded off an opening period short on quality chances for Graham Alexander's side.
City began the second half still looking to force their way back into the game, though a quick counter from Notts County resulted in another fine save from Walker to deny Langstaff.
The closest the hosts came to netting was just after, as Daniel Oyegoke's cross to substitute Harry Chapman's head hit the post.
All of City’s hard work would be undone as County doubled their advantage from a set-piece just minutes later, as Alassana Jatta headed home at the back post from Jodi Jones' deep free-kick.
From then on, City struggled for a route back, with the visitors frequently troubling Walker’s net with well-worked chances and crosses in the penalty area.
With the game creeping towards its conclusion, County added a third in stoppage time. Jatta went clean through one on one with Walker and found a way past the City stopper to send Stuart Maynard's side back to Nottingham with all three points.
CITY: Sam Walker, Brad Halliday, Liam Ridehalgh, Richie Smallwood (C), Jamie Walker (Kevin McDonald 70’), Andy Cook, Alex Gilliead (Harry Chapman 52’), Tyler Smith (Tyreik Wright 70’), Ciarán Kelly, Daniel Oyegoke, Lewis Richards (Clarke Oduor 70’). Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Matty Platt, Bobby Pointon.
NOTTS COUNTY: Luca Ashby-Hammond, Kyle Cameron (C), Dan Crowley, Sam Austin, Macaulay Langstaff, Jodi Jones (Jim O’Brien 87’), Aaron Nemane, Scott Robertson, Lewis Macari, Alassana Jatta, Jaden Warner. Subs not used: Richard Brindley, John Bostock, Luther Munakandafa, Aidan Stone, James Sanderson, Charlie Colkett.
GOALS: Langstaff (10’), Jatta (57’, 90+4’).
