SOUTHEND United slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to struggling Bradford City tonight as the Bantams finally ended their Roots Hall hoodoo.

The Bantams had not won at the home of the Blues in 14 previous attempts.

But that wretched record finally came to an end this evening as City defender Luke Oliver bagged the only goal of the game two minutes from time.

The goal came after the visitors had enjoyed prolonged periods of pressure.

Their first chance came after just 10 minutes when a deep free-kick from Bradford captain Michael Flynn missed a cluster of bodies in the penalty area before being tipped wide of the right post by Blues goalkeeper Luke Daniels.

In reply, Ryan Leonard dragged a long range shot well wide of the left upright but Bradford were soon back on top and, with 20 minutes on the clock, Ricky Ravenhill volleyed Simon Ramsden’s right wing cross over the bar from 14 yards.

With City continuing to push forward, Nakhi Wells then also fired over with a left footed shot from long range as Southend struggled to get in to the game.

As a result, Bradford again came close to opening the scoring in the 32nd minute when a mis-hit left wing cross from Kyel Reid flew just inches wide of the back post, much to the relief of the back-pedalling Daniels.

Moments later, Reid was causing further problems on the left flank as his deep cross was headed over by Ravenhill which meant the first half ended without a goal.

Bradford remained on top at the start of the second half with Wells heading a right wing cross from Craig Fagan just past the right post from close range.

In a bid to get Blues back in to the game, manager Paul Sturrock made two substitutions in quick succession as both Anthony Grant and Lee Sawyer entered the action.

Sawyer almost a dramatic arrival too as Hall’s right wing cross picked out the former Chelsea trainee but, despite being left unmarked, he could only head well wise of the right post from eight yards.

Grant then registered his side’s first shot of the evening on target in the 71st minute when he fired straight at Bradford goalkeeper John McLaughlin from long range.

The City custodian then also parried out a low 20 yard free-kick from Liam Dickinson But the Bantams hit back to win for the first time on the road this season when Oliver scuffed a six yard in to the bottom left hand corner of the net after being teed up by Andrew Davies.

That made it no win in six games for Blues who have now suffered four successive defeats.