Managerless Port Vale slipped to a 1-0 defeat against high-flying Bradford at Valley Parade.
First-team coach Jamie Smith took charge of League One’s bottom club following the departure of manager Darren Moore on Sunday, but Jenson Metcalfe’s second-half strike made it 12 games without a win for the Valiants.
Vale had lost 5-0 at Huddersfield on Boxing Day but they began brightly, with Devante Cole and Jayden Stockley proving a handful.
Bradford had a confident claim for a penalty when Curtis Tilt went down under a challenge from goalkeeper Ben Amos. Stephen Humphrys shot past a post but Port Vale were containing the hosts.
Humphrys spurned a golden chance to open the scoring in the 56th minute when his close-range blast was headed over his own crossbar by Ben Heneghan. The defender needed his head bandaging after the clearance.
But Bradford went in front after 67 minutes when Tyreik Wright’s corner was worked to Metcalfe and he bent a 20-yard shot into the top corner.
The Bantams made it consecutive wins over the Festive period to stay third behind Cardiff and Lincoln in the promotion race.
