A busy midweek across Sky Bet League One delivered crucial points at both ends of the table, with Bradford extending their fine home form, Port Vale earning a priceless victory, and Burton producing a standout second-half display to sweep aside play-off hopefuls Stockport.

Bradford Make It Four Straight at Home

Bradford City continued their impressive surge at Valley Parade, recording a fourth consecutive home win to move up to fourth in the table and leave Rotherham United deep in relegation trouble.

Defender Matthew Pennington powered home a header after just 10 minutes, meeting Tyreik Wright’s inviting cross from a quickly taken Max Power free-kick. It was a tough moment for debutant goalkeeper Ted Cann, handed his first league start for the Millers.

Bradford threatened to extend their lead through Kayden Jackson, whose effort was blocked by Jamal Baptiste before the striker was forced off with injury. Pennington later diverted a Harry Gray strike just wide, while Dru Yearwood’s long-range effort grazed the top of the bar as Rotherham chased a response.

City went close again shortly after the hour when Jenson Metcalfe curled narrowly wide after good hold-up play from Ethan Wheatley, before clipping the top of the crossbar with a free-kick as Graham Alexander’s side saw out another valuable home victory. Rotherham remain 23rd after suffering a fourth straight defeat.

Brady Returns as Vale Claim Vital Win at Northampton

There was a dramatic evening at Sixfields, where Jon Brady enjoyed a winning return as bottom-of-the-table Port Vale claimed three massive points against his former club Northampton Town.

In a meeting between League One’s two lowest scorers, clear chances were scarce. Elliott Moore made an important block from Martin Sherif, while Sam Hoskins glanced wide from a Nesta Guinness-Walker cross at the other end.

But deep into first-half stoppage time—the eighth added minute—Vale struck. Northampton failed to deal with a long throw, allowing Jayden Stockley to turn and fire low into the corner for what proved to be the decisive moment.

Northampton supporters grew restless as the second half wore on, particularly as some of Kevin Nolan’s substitutions were met with frustration from the home stands. Stockley nearly doubled his tally, while Kamarai Swyer sidefooted wide in what was arguably the Cobblers’ clearest opening of the night. Vale, however, held firm to keep their survival hopes alive.

Burton Blaze Past Stockport with Second-Half Surge

Burton Albion delivered one of their strongest performances of the season as a stunning second half swept aside play-off-chasing Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium.

After having the better of the chances in the first half—Ben Hinchliffe twice denying Tyrese Shade and Jake Beesley with smart saves—Albion needed less than 90 seconds after the restart to take the lead.

Captain Udoka Godwin-Malife burst into the area and picked out Tyrese Shade, who guided home confidently to break the deadlock. Stockport responded with a triple substitution, but their evening quickly unravelled as George Evans glanced in Alex Hartridge’s cross to make it 2–0—his first goal since December 2021.

Shade’s second later in the half capped a commanding display and secured back-to-back home wins for Burton for the first time since April 2025, strengthening their position in the league while denting County’s play-off ambitions.

Sky Bet League One round-up: Bantams climb, Vale rally and Albion hit their stride

Sky Bet League One round-up: Bantams climb, Vale rally and Albion hit their stride