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An own goal attributed to Bradford goalkeeper Alan Combe gave Derby a 3-2 victory in a roller-coaster relegation battle at Pride Park.

The hosts led 2-0, but were pegged back by the Bantams before the pendulum swung back in their favour six minutes from time thanks to a scrappy winner in which Combe and Derby duo Paul Peschisolido and Leon Osman were all involved.

It was a vital victory with both teams in the bottom three and while Derby now have renewed hope of remaining in Division One, this result pushed Bradford ever closer to the relegation trapdoor.

The excitement of the second half could hardly have been imagined during a lacklustre opening period with both sides understandably looking as though their main priority was not to lose, and that manifested itself in a lack of scoring opportunities.

By the time Derby posed a threat 18 minutes had elapsed and Peschisolido, who has made a real impact since his move from Sheffield United, saw his left-foot strike hit the woodwork.

The Rams made a substitution to try and shake off the lethargy, Adam Bolder going on for Candido Costa, and within two minutes they were ahead as on-loan Everton midfielder Osman curled home a left-foot shot.

There was no swift response to falling behind from Bryan Robson's men and Derby could have extended their advantage in the dying moments of the first half as Peschisolido forced Combe to parry his right-foot volley, and the goalkeeper then did even better to hold a Marcus Tudgay header.

The duel between Peschisolido and Combe continued when the game resumed after the break as the Scot again denied the Canadian striker before Derby defender Jamie Vincent went off with an injury, Pablo Mills his replacement.

After 52 minutes, Bradford went close to an equaliser when Robert Wolleaston connected with a Branch cross, but Tom Huddlestone made a vital block and from the resulting corner taken by Summerbee, Dean Windass headed wide.

That sparked a more promising spell for the Yorkshire side with Lee Grant having to tip a Michael Branch shot round the post and Summerbee's corner again posed problems, but Wolleaston could only volley the ball over the crossbar.

Derby captain Ian Taylor then made it 2-0 in the 64th minute with his 12th goal of the season. Osman took a free-kick from the right and the former Aston Villa man stole in unnoticed to score with an angled header.

Just as the home fans' celebrations were dying down, Peter Atherton rekindled Bradford's hopes. Summerbee played a free-kick to the veteran defender, who skipped into the penalty area and slotted the ball home.

By now the visitors were in the ascendancy and 11 minutes from time they drew level with Wolleaston's first goal for the club, a right-foot drive.

However, there was still another twist to come as amid a goalmouth scramble, the ball ricocheted into the Bradford net off Combe to effectively condemn them to Division Two next season.

	Related stories: HT: Derby 1 Bradford 0 15:56 Monday 12th April 2004 Preview: Derby v Bradford 11:56 Sunday 11th April 2004 More related stories

	Check for more on: Bradford City Derby County English First Division Soccer

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