Two spectacular goals from Andy Gray and Lewis Emmanuel gave Bradford City a 2-0 victory in the first Division One game at Ninian Park since 1985.

Lennie Lawrence named new signing Alan Lee in the City starting line-up, but supporters had to wait to see Richard Langley, who was included amongst the substitutes.

Neil Alexander returned between the sticks after being rested for the mid-week League Cup tie, along with Rhys Weston, Graham Kavanagh and John Robinson.

Gray gave the visitors the lead only six minutes in, with a left-foot volley from outside of the City penalty area. His 25-yard cracker came from nothing, and was a real eye-opener of the difference in class between last season's opposition.

The goal came as a wake-up call to City, who began piling the pressure onto the Bantams, but there was no way through the solid Yorkshire defence.

Alan Lee should have got himself a debut goal when he met a Graham Kavanagh free-kick with his head, but his effort bounced well-wide of Paston's goal.

John Robinson then went close. The Welsh international picked up the ball in midfield, charged forward and fired a shot at goal, but the chance went begging as the ball flew wide.

Robert Earnshaw failed to convert a series of chances as City piled on the pressure, but good 'keeping and poor finishing in front of goal denied City an equaliser before the break.

City played the better football for the majority of the half, but Bradford still had chances, with Dean Windass and Ben Muirhead both going close for the visitors.

Half Time - Cardiff City 0-1 Bradford City

The second-half followed a similar pattern to the opening forty-five minutes, with City continuing to ask the Bradford City defence questions

John Robinson saw his shot palmed onto the post by Bradford 'keeper, and Robert Earnshaw's frustrating afternoon continued as Payton made an excellent save from the Zambian-born strikers low drive moments later.

City's lion-share of possession failed to result in an equaliser, and hard-working Bradford City secured the surprise victory with another superb goal.

Lewis Emmanuel's 69th minute strike was as equally impressive as Gray's early opener. The youngster, who had only recently come on as a substitute to replace Muirhead, unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the City penalty area, leaving Neil Alexander with no chance.

The 25-yard cracker sent the 271 travelling Bradford fans into delight, and even had some of the 16,000 home supporters applauding.

The Bantams sat back for the final twenty minutes, and their solid defence continued to frustrate the Cardiff City attack, with the introduction of Andy Campbell and new-boy Richard Langley failing to have an impact.

Mark Bonner was also introduced in the closing stages, replacing skipper Graham Kavanagh with seven minutes to go.

The scoreline was harsh on City, with a draw probably the fairer result, but City failed to take the chances they were given which is something that will have to be addressed if we are to survive in this division.

Full Time - Cardiff City 0-2 Bradford City

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Boland, Kavanagh, Robinson, Whalley, Earnshaw, Lee. Subs: Langley, Campbell, Bonner, Collins, Margetson.

Bradford: Paston, Edds, Heckingbottom, Jacobs, Wetherall, Evans, Francis, Muirhead, Gray, Windass, Branch. Subs: Combe, Wolleaston, Standing, Emanuel, Kearney.

Referee: Lee Cable (Lancashire).

Lee had an encouraging debut, and could have found himself on the scoresheet had Bradford 'keeper Paston not been on such good form.

The Irish Under-21 international supplied a constant threat to the Bantams defence, and will almost certainly start against Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

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