YOUNG hotshot Michael Keane showed Bradford why he is the darling of North End's Townend as he blasted the only goal of the game.

The 18-year-old, who was drafted in from the reserves to cover for Mark Rankine's injury, is determined is stake his claim for a first team shirt on a more regular basis.

The arrival of two new signings in midfield - including last night's debutant Dickson Etuhu - has stiffened competition in the centre of the field.

And Keane hasn't made manager Moyes' selection quandry any easier after last night's performance, especially with Icelandic intenrational Thordur Gudjonsson waiting in the wings.

The young Irishman volleyed home the ball into the roof of the Bantams' net two minutes into the second half.

Once again, Richard Cresswell had been instrumental in the gaol, having headed Graham Alexander's deep cross across the face of goal.

It was a league win North End desperatley needed - but one which could have been much more convincing.

And North End should have capitalised early on, with Graham Alexander's low shot being saved by Carl Muggleton.

The abscence of Benito Carbone - who refused to play after being told he was sub - seemed to put Bradford into disarray.

Keane for one should have scored in the first half, when he hit a curling18-yard shot.

Once again, it was Jon Macken - on as a substitute - who was chief offender. His crime? Missing the net again!

His header from a Lee Cartwright cross hit the post before bouncing across the goal mouth.

Then Cresswell beat the offside trap to put a through ball just beyond the charging David Healy. He had earlier sent a diving header wide.

With so many chances missed, Bradford nearly pulled one back in the 84th minute, when Lee Sharpe's cross to Gunnar Halle hit the upright.

The result leaves North End 10th in the league, but a win on Thursday could lift them to 8th