Bradford City boss Graham Alexander was delighted with the way his side did not let Carlisle United get on top of them in a key spell.

The Bantams manager, whose side defeated the Blues 2-1, said his team’s response to United’s second-half improvement was crucial.

A fortunate Harrison Neal goal cancelled out Andy Cook’s Bradford opener but the hosts regrouped and won the game through another Cook goal.

“I thought we lost our way a bit after half-time – they [Carlisle] got control and we kept turning the ball over,” said Alexander, speaking via the Telegraph & Argus.

“But none of the players shirked trying to win that game today.

“I was delighted with that because we have to understand that. If we’re going to be the team we want to be, we’re going to play in a lot more games like that.”

Former United youth team product Cook scored against his former club for the first time, with his first coming in the second minute after Bradford pounced on an error from Jon Mellish.

The big striker then powered home a header to clinch the points for the Bantams, who are now fifth while Carlisle are 22nd.

Sam Walker, left, gifted Carlisle a goal but the Blues' late efforts were to no avail at Valley ParadeSam Walker, left, gifted Carlisle a goal but the Blues' late efforts were to no avail at Valley Parade (Image: Martyn Haworth)

Alexander said his side showed what a good team they are “for large spells” and said of Bradford’s matchwinner: “We know what we have in Cooky if we can get him into the right areas and give him the right deliveries in there.

“It’s Cooky's understanding what type of players we have in the team and where they are going to put the ball.

“The way we started the game was really good with a fantastic press and turnover for the goal. It was great play from Jamie Walker and a clinical finish.

“The second one, the header, was perfect number nine play – pull off the back defender and then head it back across the goal.

“He could have had a hat-trick from Richie [Smallwood]’s free-kick. That was probably the easiest chance out the three of them but he’s won us the points, so fair play to him.

“It was a really tough game for us today,” Alexander added on his club's website.

“We were really good in the first half. We played brilliant and effective football. To be honest, we really should have scored the second goal in the first period.

“Carlisle are good team with good players, but we were not as strong in possession during the second half, and we allowed a fluke goal.

“Sometimes games can hinge on things like that if a team gives up and loses its way. But I thought it galvanised the players and they got better after that.”