Bantams’ substitute Nakhi Wells fired the only goal of the game six minutes from time, a stunning long-range effort that flew past goalkeeper David Lucas and into the roof of the net.
It was a harsh blow for Eyre, whose team had dominated for long periods and had enough chances to see off Phil Parkinson’s team.
The visitors carried on where they left off in midweek with the much-improved performance against Preston in the Johnstone Paints Trophy. And with Dean Holden brought back into the back line having been cup-tied for that match, Eyre’s team had a solid look about it for the first hour of the game.
They were on top throughout the first half, Bradford offering little by way of attacking threat. Fresh from an impressive goalscoring home debut four days’ earlier, on-loan City striker Harry Bunn proved a thorn in the Bantams’ side.
He came second best in a one on one against home goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, while the City stopper also denied skipper Gary Jones during the opening 45 minutes.
After the break, McLaughlin saved efforts from Bunn and substitute Ashley Grimes in quick succession but the hosts’ winner came out of nowhere and left Dale deflated.
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Out of the Carling Cup.Out of Johnstone Paints Trophy.Out of the FA Cup.What next?Out of League One.The gamble of an untried manager has failed.Everyone was hoping for better things but unfortunately it's not happened.Time to move on.
Yet another limp toothless display from dale has cost me a huge amount of money on a lost multiple. Out in the first round of a vital competition against woeful opposition a division lower.Same story in the League Cup where a lucrative tie against Man Utd awaited a Dale side that were 1-0 up at half time..... Absymal displays are the norm from a team of Man City child failures. Don't get me wrong - I am Man City fan so hoped it would work out for Steve and these City rejects more than most other people did.... but it clearly hasn't and he needs to now change strategy. Dale are going back to League two for another 30 years.
Extremely unfair critism of the manager.
Rochdale are a small club with limited resources. People are expecting far too much from a club that regular only pulls a crowd of 2000, the lowest in league 1 by a long stretch.
Lets not forget the highs of the season so far including a fantastic victory at premier league QPR.
Harry's Mate - you are either an eternal optimist or blind if you cannot see what is happening to the Dale.We are on our way back to being the music hall joke that we were before Hillcroft.
who are we going to get if dale sack eyre, rome was not built in a day but i just wish eyre would see how our defence has failed..............i would stick with eyre till the end of the season hes building a complete new team and that does not come over night, one thing though i have been dale fan for 40 years and i dont want to go back to the dark days.............................come on steve get things sorted good luck
stu
As long as we're playing good football which we are i wont be joining this band wagon calling for the managers head.
Anyone who thinks the team are "a joke" clearly doesnt go. If we get relegated by all rights the middle of division 2 is where we belong anyway with our mediocre attendances.
What a shambles, City 1 Dale 0, time to go Eyers. I expect Dale to beat the like of Bradford, No disrespect to them, but they are 3rd bottom of div 2. Get Beach with Jones as assisant. Out of ALL the cups, its only november, He, the manager had good foundations to build on. No signs of a win in site.
TRUE BLUE LES TORQUAY
UP THE DALE