Ten-man Oldham Athletic rallied late on but slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Bradford City at Boundary Park in League One this afternoon.
Josh Morris almost gave the visitors the lead inside two minutes, but his well-struck free kick was saved by goalkeeper Joel Coleman.
Coleman was again called into action 19 minutes and the shot-stopper this time denied Gary Jones.
The Latics were calling for a foul on their goalkeeper on 21 minutes, but the referee waved away the appeals after Reece Burke converted into an empty net from close range.
Coleman needed treatment after the incident, but the goal stood and Oldham's sense of injustice was furthered when Jonathan Forte was sent off for an off-the-ball incident after the half-hour mark.
The striker was involved in a clash with Stephen Darby and was promptly given his marching orders by the official.
Billy Knott came close to extending the advantage towards the end of the half, but his 25-yard effort flashed wide of Oldham's goal.
New Bradford signing Devante Cole raced clear early into the second half, but the former Manchester City man could only blast over the bar.
The 10 men of the home side were unable to get too many forward in search of an equaliser, and David Dunn's curled effort was comfortably held just before the hour mark.
Cole then extended the Bantams' advantage on 63 minutes when he raced onto a through ball from Knott before dispatching with aplomb.
The Latics pulled one back inside the final 10 minutes when Joseph Mills headed home after they began to pour numbers forward, but they were unable to force an unlikely draw as the visitors held on.
Paul Gorst
