The Shots had initially threatened another upset on their travels, with Straker’s eighth-minute opener, but a couple of defensive errors allowed Bradford to wrest an advantage they never looked likely to relinquish during a solid and industrious second half performance.
Aldershot’s start was neat and purposeful, and they were rewarded by Straker’s tap-in, latching onto Glennon’s parry from Donnelly’s drive, but soon they faded. Flynn fashioned a cross from a seemingly innocuous situation on the right, and Hanson, having drifted behind Blackburn, stretched just enough to direct a header into the top corner.
Soon The Bantams were ahead, as Aaron Brown’s wayward attempt to clear O’Brien’s cross fell to Omar Daley. Cutting in off his right flank, Daley sent the ball flying into the net past a static Jaimez-Ruiz.
Neither defence were looking entirely comfortable but, if only through sheer weight of numbers, Bradford successfully stifled any creativity Aldershot mustered. The visitors again emerged in the ascendancy but lacked the quality to augment their effort, and could only point to Jackson’s shocking miss – somehow heading the ball wide from inside the six-yard box with the goal gaping – as evidence of any genuine threat.
Aldershot tried to rouse a grandstand finish but ultimately the game ended rather too meekly, as possession counted for nought on the scoresheet, and Bradford celebrated a rare home victory.
Despite another faltering display, The Shots still seem set fair for marking their second League Two season will tangible progress. And, of course, victory against Shrewsbury next weekend will revive increasingly distant dreams of a play-off berth.