Bolton 1 – 0 Bradford

Amario Cozier-Duberry’s superb strike was enough for Bolton to secure a 1-0 win over Bradford in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

The 20-year-old winger, on loan from Brighton, struck in the second half at the Tuffsheet Community Stadium.

This means the trotters take an important advantage of the Valley Parade.

Cozier-Duberry broke the tension in ToughSheet

Much like most playoff ties we’ve seen so far, this first leg was underwhelming.

There were no shots on target in the first half and Billy Sharp sat unprepared Sky Sports Studio

“No one wanted to take the game by the scruff of the neck,” said the EFL legend at the break.

But the neck scrape was good and really took off on the hour mark. Cozier-Duberry, often the spark for Bolton, picked up an Ibrahim Sissoko cross before cutting to his left and curling brilliantly into the far corner.

Minutes later it should have been a second for the former Arsenal youngster. He raced across goal, but his effort hit the inside of the post before bouncing clear.

It could have been a truly defining moment in this tie but, with only a single goal separating them, it was all to play for in the second leg.

Schumacher: It was a great finish

Bolton the boss Steven Schumacher on Sky Sports Football:

“Amario has created such moments of magic for us all season.

“We told him at half-time that he was coming in a lot, and we told him to be patient and we would get the ball to him in dangerous areas.

“The ball fell to him a bit luckily, but it was a great finish.

“We are delighted (with the result). It was a tough game as we expected it to be really competitive.

“We knew how important it was to try to push ourselves into the tie because we know how hard it is to go to Valley Parade.”

Alexander is confident in the second leg despite the defeat

Bradford the boss Graham Alexander on Sky Sports Football:

“It was a very strong performance from us considering we ran into a Bolton team with a lot of firepower.

“They had a shot on target tonight, although obviously it was a very good one! That’s what split the teams.

“No matter how it goes tonight, it’s still going to be half-time. We’ve found ourselves behind so many times this season and we’ve come back to win or draw, so it’s a scenario we’ve been in before.

“I don’t have to remind the players. I can keep quiet because there’s a lot of experience in that dressing room and they’re all telling each other the right things.”

“It will be a tough game at Valley Parade, but it’s one we feel confident about.”