JON NEWBY struck a double and was star of the show as Town's second string notched their first win in seven outings.

The striker, in his first competitive match back since September following a knee operation, looked sharp throughout this derby and was substituted eight minutes from time after earning his side the victory.

Newby showed clinical finishing for his first, on 48 minutes, when he latched onto an accurate through ball from midfield before surging down the channel, drawing goalkeeper Clint Davies and slotting home from an angle.

Town grabbed their second on 81 minutes when Dwayne Mattis sent Newby tearing clear and, once again, he showed composure as he drew the keeper and coolly finished in style.

It was just reward for a Town side who worked well and were confidently marshalled at the back by vocal South African keeper Paul Evans, 30, who is back with Town as cover until the club are certain of Ian Gray's full recovery from a broken hand.

And the former Rushden and Diamonds custodian, who was last with Town under Lou Macari in 2002, would have impressed watching boss Peter Jackson with a string of solid saves and confident handling.

Evans proved fully focused on 14 minutes when he palmed away Michael Standing's quick free-kick from the edge of the box and again, just four minutes later, when Tom Kearney's low drive from an outswinging corner was well held.

He was again called into action to deny Robert Wolleaston's shot from 20 yards and was fortunate to see Danny Forrest's virtual `fresh air' shot run harmlessly wide.

Town's best chance of an entertaining first half was created by a magnificent long ball out wide by Lee Fowler, returning from suspension, when he picked out Tyrone Thompson, who showed good attacking and defensive qualities in a tireless showing down the right.

Thompson outpaced his markers and surged to the goalline, but his pulled-back pass threaded between John Thorrington and Newby as they tried to play catch up.

Martyn Booty and David Mirfin - in his first 90 minutes since November 4 after a hamstring injury - kept chances limited for Bradford strikers Michael Branch and Forrest with timely interceptions as they consistently shepherded the ball away from danger.

Fowler and Chris Holland, competing for Saturday's midfield slot against Boston left vacant by Rob Edwards' injury, bossed the central areas as the Bantams finally looked to Lewis Emanuel down the left as their main outlet, but with little initial success.

Bradford grabbed a late consolation when Standing let rip with a well struck long range shot which took a wicked bounce just ahead of Evans on 86 minutes, but it didn't prevent Town from chalking a deserved win.

Bradford Res - Davies, Edds, Jacobs, Kearney (Swift 45), Reid, Folkes, Standing, Wolleaston (Sanasy 58), Branch, Forrest, Emanuel. Subs not used: Bentham, Flynn, Penford.

Town Res - P Evans, Thompson, C Evans (Hand 66), Fowler, Mirfin, Booty, Mattis, Holland, Newby (McAliskey 82), Thorrington, Ahmed. Subs not used: McCombe, Giles, Walsh.