Nahki Wells scored a hat-trick as Bradford ended their poor away run with a comfortable victory at Northampton.

Wells rounded Neal Kitson to finish with ease early on and shortly before the break he netted with an overhead kick from James Hanson's header.

Cobblers captain Clarke Carlisle pulled one back soon after the restart, forcing the ball home from close range after City failed to clear a corner.

But straight from the kick-off a deft lob completed Wells' hat-trick.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Northampton Town manager Aidy Boothroyd told BBC Radio Northampton:

"They defended much better than we did. We gave them goals. They outfought us today and that sickens me.

"We got outworked, we got bullied - and I don't mean that disrespectfully to Bradford.

"I was really disappointed with that because we looked like a team that think they are going home for the summer."

Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Leeds:

"The intensity of our display today was absolutely tremendous. We couldn't come here today waiting to concede and then start playing.

"We had to play from the first whistle to win this game and I thought we were right on the money all over the pitch and we deserved the win.

"We said let's have a group of players who will run themselves into the ground to get this result."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Northampton

  • 13 Kitson
  • 03 Charles Booked
  • 05 Tozer
  • 14 Johnson
  • 25 Carlisle
  • 28 Langmead
  • 29 Adams (Williams - 46' )
  • 17 Jacobs
  • 22 Guttridge
  • 08 Robinson (Young - 78' )
  • 10 Akinfenwa Booked

Substitutes

  • 26 Hall
  • 06 Webster
  • 02 Young
  • 09 Williams
  • 23 Lewis Wilson

Bradford

  • 34 Duke
  • 02 Ramsden
  • 05 Branston
  • 06 Oliver
  • 24 Kozluk
  • 08 Jones (Bullock - 88' )
  • 14 Ravenhill Booked
  • 32 Reid (Flynn - 90' )
  • 09 Hanson
  • 21 Wells (Smalley - 78' )
  • 39 Fagan

Substitutes

  • 01 McLaughlin
  • 04 Flynn
  • 22 Bullock
  • 23 Syers
  • 11 Smalley
Ref: Langford
Att: 5,060

Match Stats

Shots

20 12

On target

10 8

Corners

12 6

Fouls

7 8

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:09 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +4:03

Deane Smalley is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Neal Kitson restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:56

Ben Tozer has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

90:00 +0:57

Luke Oliver manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +0:57 Substitution

Substitution Kyel Reid leaves the field to be replaced by Michael Flynn.

90:00 +0:57

Corner taken right-footed by Michael Jacobs from the left by-line,

88:16

Luke Oliver challenges Kelvin Langmead unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Jacobs crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by James Hanson.

87:18 Substitution

Substitution Lee Bullock on for Ritchie Jones.

85:09

Shot from just outside the box by Brett Williams misses to the right of the goal.

82:37

James Hanson is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Neal Kitson takes the free kick.

82:19

Adebayo Akinfenwa concedes a free kick for a foul on Simon Ramsden. Direct free kick taken by Simon Ramsden.

81:36

Kyel Reid sends in a cross.

78:45

The ball is delivered by Craig Fagan.

78:39

Centre by Craig Fagan.

78:34

Kyel Reid sends in a cross.

77:36 Substitution

Substitution Lewis Young joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jake Robinson.

77:10 Substitution

Substitution (Bradford) makes a substitution, with Deane Smalley coming on for Nahki Wells.

76:19

Kyel Reid produces a left-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.

75:42

Corner taken by Michael Jacobs, save by Matt Duke.

75:27

Luke Guttridge takes a shot. Blocked by Rob Kozluk.

74:14

Corner taken right-footed by Craig Fagan, Anthony Charles manages to make a clearance.

72:00

Corner taken by Craig Fagan played to the near post, clearance made by Adebayo Akinfenwa.

72:00

Corner taken by Craig Fagan played to the near post, John Johnson makes a clearance.

71:10

Luke Guttridge challenges Kyel Reid unfairly and gives away a free kick. Craig Fagan crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance by Kelvin Langmead.

68:27

The ball is sent over by Kyel Reid, clearance by Kelvin Langmead.

65:42

Corner taken right-footed by Luke Guttridge, Kelvin Langmead takes a shot.

65:04

Corner taken short by Michael Jacobs. Michael Jacobs sends in a cross, Simon Ramsden manages to make a clearance.

63:17

Effort on goal by Luke Guttridge from a long way out goes over the bar.

62:10

Rob Kozluk crosses the ball.

58:57

Adebayo Akinfenwa takes a shot. Matt Duke gets a block in.

58:25

Luke Guttridge fouled by Richard Ravenhill, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Neal Kitson.

57:37

Craig Fagan takes a outswinging corner.

56:56

Ritchie Jones takes a shot. Blocked by Luke Guttridge.

56:02

Corner taken by Craig Fagan from the left by-line played to the near post, Clarke Carlisle manages to make a clearance.

55:25

Ben Tozer takes a shot. Ritchie Jones gets a block in.

54:52

Corner taken by Luke Guttridge, Luke Oliver makes a clearance.

53:19

Assist by Matt Duke.

53:19 Goal scored

Goal - Nahki Wells - Northamp'n 1 - 3 Bradford Nahki Wells gets on the score sheet with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Northampton 1-3 Bradford.

52:15

Assist on the goal came from Michael Jacobs.

52:15 Goal scored

Goal - Clarke Carlisle - Northamp'n 1 - 2 Bradford Clarke Carlisle grabs a headed goal from inside the box. Northampton 1-2 Bradford.

51:44

Michael Jacobs takes the inswinging corner,

50:58

Michael Jacobs takes a shot. Blocked by Guy Branston.

50:01

The assistant referee flags for offside against Nahki Wells. Free kick taken by Neal Kitson.

49:35

Brett Williams delivers the ball, save by Matt Duke.

48:29

Michael Jacobs delivers the ball.

46:38

Corner taken right-footed by Luke Guttridge from the right by-line to the near post, Guy Branston makes a clearance.

46:01

Michael Jacobs takes a shot. Luke Guttridge gets a block in.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Brett Williams joins the action as a substitute, replacing Blair Adams.

45:00 +2:54 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +1:52

Jake Robinson takes a shot. Rob Kozluk gets a block in. Adebayo Akinfenwa produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.

45:00 +0:02

Blair Adams takes a shot. Simon Ramsden manages to make a clearance.

43:49

Guy Branston fouled by Jake Robinson, the ref awards a free kick. Matt Duke takes the free kick.

43:21

John Johnson sends in a cross, clearance made by James Hanson.

42:47

Nahki Wells challenges Ben Tozer unfairly and gives away a free kick. John Johnson restarts play with the free kick.

41:24

Effort from 18 yards by James Hanson. Save by Neal Kitson.

40:44

Richard Ravenhill takes a shot. Clarke Carlisle gets a block in.

40:11

Rob Kozluk fouled by Adebayo Akinfenwa, the ref awards a free kick. Matt Duke takes the free kick.

38:57

Assist on the goal came from James Hanson.

38:57 Goal scored

Goal - Nahki Wells - Northamp'n 0 - 2 Bradford A goal is scored by Nahki Wells from just outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Northampton 0-2 Bradford.

38:06

The ball is sent over by Kyel Reid,

38:06 Booking

Booking Anthony Charles is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

37:46

Anthony Charles challenges Craig Fagan unfairly and gives away a free kick.

35:38

Michael Jacobs crosses the ball, Effort on goal by Blair Adams from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

35:09

A cross is delivered by Adebayo Akinfenwa, clearance by Simon Ramsden.

34:11 Booking

Booking Richard Ravenhill receives a yellow card.

33:27

Nahki Wells gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anthony Charles. Direct free kick taken by Anthony Charles.

32:59

Simon Ramsden has an effort at goal from long distance that goes wide left.

32:19

The ball is sent over by Kyel Reid, John Johnson manages to make a clearance. Short corner taken by Kyel Reid from the left by-line.

31:51

Nahki Wells takes a shot. Blocked by John Johnson.

29:51

Richard Ravenhill concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Jacobs. Neal Kitson takes the direct free kick, Michael Jacobs takes a shot. Corner taken by Luke Guttridge from the right by-line, clearance by Guy Branston. Luke Guttridge produces a cross, Adebayo Akinfenwa takes a shot. Luke Oliver manages to make a clearance.

29:19

Ritchie Jones takes a shot. Save made by Neal Kitson.

28:55

Centre by Jake Robinson, Luke Oliver makes a clearance.

28:13

Michael Jacobs takes the inswinging corner, Luke Oliver makes a clearance.

26:40

James Hanson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Langmead. Neal Kitson restarts play with the free kick.

25:14

Kyel Reid crosses the ball, Header from close range by James Hanson misses to the right of the goal.

22:44

Volleyed left-footed shot by Ben Tozer.

20:51

The ball is delivered by Kyel Reid, clearance by Ben Tozer.

19:58

Effort on goal by Richard Ravenhill from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

19:36

Centre by Kyel Reid, Clarke Carlisle makes a clearance.

18:11

James Hanson concedes a free kick for a foul on Kelvin Langmead. Free kick taken by Neal Kitson.

17:34

Jake Robinson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

16:31

Jake Robinson produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.

15:35

The assistant referee flags for offside against Nahki Wells. Anthony Charles takes the free kick.

12:36

Foul by Adebayo Akinfenwa on Guy Branston, free kick awarded. Matt Duke restarts play with the free kick.

10:47

The assist for the goal came from Craig Fagan.

10:47 Goal scored

Goal - Nahki Wells - Northamp'n 0 - 1 Bradford Nahki Wells fires in a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Northampton 0-1 Bradford.

9:00

Centre by Guy Branston. Corner taken right-footed by Michael Jacobs, Guy Branston manages to make a clearance.

8:08

The offside flag is raised against Adebayo Akinfenwa. Free kick taken by Matt Duke.

7:04

Corner taken right-footed by Craig Fagan, save made by Neal Kitson.

6:40

James Hanson sends in a cross.

6:23

Michael Jacobs delivers the ball, save by Matt Duke.

5:09

Corner from the left by-line taken by Michael Jacobs, clearance by Craig Fagan. Centre by Luke Guttridge, Matt Duke makes a save. Corner taken by Michael Jacobs, clearance made by Guy Branston.

4:08 Booking

Booking Adebayo Akinfenwa receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

1:51

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kyel Reid by John Johnson. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Craig Fagan from left wing, save by Neal Kitson.

1:07

Foul by James Hanson on Kelvin Langmead, free kick awarded. Neal Kitson takes the free kick. Blair Adams takes a shot. Save by Matt Duke.

0:00

The match gets underway.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association