Robert Molenaar scored the only goal of the game as Bradford defeated Nottingham Forest.

The win ended a run of seven straight defeats for the Bantams - and avoided the embarassment of equalling a club-record eighth consecutive loss.

Peter Atherton almost scored for Bradford after 27 minutes, but was denied by a fantastic save from visiting goalkeeper Darren Ward.

But by half-time Molenaar had put the visitors ahead, heading home Lewis Emanuel's corner.

And Michael Standing could have doubled the Bantams' advantage in the second half, but he headed against the crossbar from Emanuel's cross.

Delroy Facey, on loan from Bolton Wanderers, was then denied twice by superb blocks from Michael Dawson as Bradford continued to push forward.

Forest's David Johnson, the division's leading scorer, should have equalised after 70 minutes.

Mathieu Louis-Jean floated in a teasing cross but Johnson knocked his header past the post from six yards.

Forest boss Paul Hart threw on Eoin Jess, Bradford's top-scorer last season, with 20 minutes remaining.

But it was Atherton who came closest to adding to the scoreline, heading straight at Ward from close range from another Emanuel corner.

Bradford: Davison, Jorgensen, Molenaar, Myers, Francis, Standing, Atherton, Lawrence, Emanuel, Facey, Gray. Subs: Myhill, Evans, Bower, Danks, Reid.

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Walker, Brennan, Williams, Reid, Scimeca, Lester, Johnson, Harewood. Subs: Jess, Roche, Hjelde, Thompson, Westcarr.

Referee: T Parkes (W Midlands)