MARK Wall got the only goal of the game as Bradford Town claimed a first away win in the Premier Division since late October with a 1-0 victory at Cribbs on Saturday.

The match was just one of two throughout the league’s two divisions to beat the wet weekend weather and Bradford boss Paul Shanley paid tribute to the hard work of the home ground staff to allow the game to go ahead.

The result ensured Bradford avoided a third straight defeat and Shanley was most pleased that his troops were able to travel back from Bristol with a clean sheet – their first in all competitions for seven weeks.

“When you wake up in the morning and see all the other postponements, you do expect the game to be off but we have to give credit to Cribbs,” said Shanley.

“The pitch was immaculate and you wouldn’t realise the amount of rain that we’ve had. The surface was absolutely perfect, so it didn’t really have an effect at all.

“It’s not often we win 1-0 but any positive result is very pleasing. It got us back to winning ways and we kept a clean sheet too, which we haven’t done for a little while.”

Cribbs’ George Brimson had the first chance of the game but he could not get his far-post header on target while Jake Slocombe also shot wide for the hosts.

Bradford began to take control of the game and made it count six minutes before half-time as Sam Jordan collected possession on the left and pulled the back across the penalty box to the unmarked Wall, who made no mistake.

Slocombe had a chance to equalise before the break but Bradford keeper Conor Thompson pulled off a fine save to keep his side’s lead intact.

Bradford were on top again as the second half got under way but early chances for Wall and Neikell Plummer were not taken, while Thompson was called into action again at the other end as he pushed away a header from Brimson.

With 10 minutes remaining, Bradford substitute Dominic Holver almost made an instant impact after being sent in on goal but the Cribbs stopper turned away the effort to ensure his team’s defeat was not greater.

Shanley added: “There weren’t too many chances but we managed to score just before half-time.

“It was a close game but we dominated possession and we had two or three more chances to get another goal in the last 15 minutes or so, so I think in the end, we were worthy winners.

“They played 4-5-1, so it made it quite difficult to break them down but credit to my players – they went about their business the right way and figured out a way to win.”

Bradford’s Premier Division rivals Melksham Town saw their trip to Bitton postponed, as were the matches involving Corsham Town, Warminster Town and Westbury United in Division One.