Bradford City edge past Stockport as Sarcevic strikes again.

ANTONI Sarcevic once again demonstrated his suitability for the big occasion, and Stockport will despise him for it.

The Hatters did not want to lose Sarcevic, who went for Valley Parade 18 months ago. And he offered another cruel reminder of what they had missed when he scored City’s winner against his former team for the second time this season.

A record home crowd of 22,488 – the largest at the stadium for a midweek league encounter – saw Sarcevic, captain for the night in Max Power’s absence, deliver the decisive punch as City surged above Stockport into fourth place.

Lee Evans had not started a game for City in 3,560 days, since the play-off semi-final second leg against Millwall in May 2016, at the end of his season-long loan under Phil Parkinson.

However, the Welshman had played a full 90 minutes for Blackpool just over a fortnight ago and has made two substitute appearances since his switch.

Stockport had not played over the weekend but arrived with an eight-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. They had only lost three road games in the league this season.

County manager Dave Challinor had warned that the quality level might not match the two teams’ lofty position in the table due to a challenging ground. But the contest was intense from the start.

Bobby Pointon capitalised on a sloppy pass from Malik Mothersille to set up Wheatley for an early shot, which he scooped over.Pointon then almost got on the end of a low cut-back from Sarcevic as Valley Parade bounced noisily.

Curtis Tilt moved within one yellow card of his own two-game suspension after earning a ninth booking for a trip on Adama Sidibeh. City enjoyed a little advantage in the game, but Stockport made their first threat right before halftime.

Malik Mothersille was played in behind Pennington, but his shot was feeble and direct at Sam Walker.

It was hardly a night to concentrate on possession, as everything moved at a breakneck pace. However, there was no genuine excitement in either box, as two evenly matched teams cancelled each other out.

Wheatley had made little impression, so it came as no surprise that he was replaced by Jackson for the restart. City made the breakthrough in four minutes.

Josh Neufville’s throw found Evans, and Stockport was unable to cope with his cross, allowing Sarcevic to half-volley into the roof of the goal.

The volume was turned up as the Kop sang a chorus of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” as their team took an early lead.

Stockport looked to react after Sidibeh missed an overhead attempt but earned a second chance to fire wide on the turn.

On the hour mark, the visitors made three changes, but City pushed for a second goal, with Evans firing over from distance.

Odin Bailey’s return from the bench gave Stockport an attacking spark. Bailey’s cross was sent over by fellow substitute Isaac Olaofe after he played with Pointon on the edge of the City box with his fast feet.

Tyreik Wright thudded a long-range attempt wide following good work from Sarcevic and Jackson, which was a stark contrast to the caginess of the first 45 minutes of the game.

Stockport custodian Ben Hinchliffe stretched to save an angled shot from Jenson Metcalfe, before Wright demonstrated his defensive awareness with a crucial interception as the visitors countered menacingly.

Walker hadn’t had much to do, but he pulled off an excellent block to deny Ben Osborn as time ran out.

City then successfully negotiated five more minutes to complete a noteworthy league double and send another message to the rest of the promotion pack that they are here to stay.