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Bradford's win moved them to within one point of League Two leaders Walsall in the race for the title Calum Kavanagh and George Lapslie both scored twice as Bradford brushed aside promotion rivals Colchester. The crowd of 23, 381 was the largest at Valley Parade for a fourth-tier game and they witnessed a convincing home performance from the second-placed Bantams. Neill Byrne headed just over as Bradford turned the screw in the first half before they took a 32nd-minute lead when Kavanagh prodded home Brad Halliday's centre. Colchester equalised four minutes later with Harry Anderson lashing home the rebound after Jack Payne's shot was blocked. But Lapslie restored the home side's advantage before the break, nodding in Tayo Adaramola's cross. Colchester looked to respond again as Payne fired over from 20 yards and Owura Edwards slid the ball past the post after going clear. Colchester keeper Matt Macey did well to claw away Romoney Crichlow's header but Kavanagh struck his second after good work from on-loan Birmingham midfielder Brandon Khela. Lapslie then completed a double of his own when he slid in to convert a drilled pass by substitute Bobby Pointon and seal an emphatic win. Report supplied by PA Media. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 22nd March 2025 at 16: 58 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Graham Alexander Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Danny Cowley Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Graham Alexander Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Danny Cowley Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 We're still improving Match stats. Let us know what you think. League Two All competitions All competitions All competitions Bradford City are unbeaten across their last four league games against Colchester United (W2 D2) and could go five unbeaten against this opponent for the first time since 2005. Colchester United have won just one of their last ten away league games against Bradford City (D6 L3), conceding 2+ goals in five of those visits to Valley Parade. Bradford have lost each of their last two league games, as many as across their prior 20 League Two outings combined (W13 D5). The Bantams haven’t lost three in succession since March 2024. Colchester will be looking to record a sixth Football League win in succession this weekend, with the U’s last achieving that feat in February 2006 (seven wins). Match ends, Bradford City 4, Colchester United 1. Second Half ends, Bradford City 4, Colchester United 1. Attempt missed. Ciarán Kelly (Bradford City) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Jamie Walker with a cross following a corner. Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Tom Flanagan. Attempt missed. Alex Pattison (Bradford City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by George Lapslie following a corner. Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by Tom Flanagan. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Attempt blocked. Alex Pattison (Bradford City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamie Walker. Foul by Jamie Walker (Bradford City). Tom Flanagan (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Brandon Khela (Bradford City). Harry Anderson (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Substitution, Bradford City. Paul Huntington replaces Neill Byrne. Substitution, Bradford City. Jamie Walker replaces Calum Kavanagh. Substitution, Bradford City. Alex Pattison replaces Tayo Adaramola. Substitution, Colchester United. Oscar Thorn replaces Jack Payne. Attempt blocked. Anthony Scully (Colchester United) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Jack Payne. Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Brad Halliday. Goal! Bradford City 4, Colchester United 1. George Lapslie (Bradford City) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner. Substitution, Colchester United. Anthony Scully replaces Lyle Taylor. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.