Carl McHugh fired a last-gasp winner as Bradford City recorded a 1-0 victory over Port Vale at Valley Parade tonight.

Some 30 minutes elapsed before either side was granted a clear goalscoring opportunity, and it was the visitors, with Doug Loft seeing his powerful drive parried away by Jon McLaughlin.

Phil Parkinson's men should have edged ahead in the contest moments before the break, with McHugh heading narrowly over the bar to ensure parity at the interval.

The Bantams came within the width of the woodwork to breaking the deadlock on 73 minutes, as Aaron McLean's effort was deflected into the path of Adam Reach, who crashed his low shot against the post.

However, the hosts were soon rewarded for their perseverance as McHugh pounced in the closing stages to snatch the win for Parkinson's troops.