BOLTON Wanderers loanee Tom Walker scored on his first start for Bury as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Bradford last night.

Two first-half goals from Haris Vuckic and Jordy Hiwula gave the Bantams a comfortable half-time lead, but Walker pulled one back 22 minutes from time.

The Shakers, who rested a number of key players for the Checkatrade Trophy clash, were unable to provide an equaliser despite a late rally.

Boss David Flitcroft made four changes from the side who lost to Scunthorpe at the weekend. Andrew Tutte, Anthony Dudley and Walker were handed their first starts of the season, while Kelvin Etuhu also came in to the starting XI.

The Bantams, who left assistant manager Kenny Black in charge, named only three substitutes in protest at the format of the competition.

It took only 127 seconds for the first change to be made as they quickly switched their goalkeeper to bypass competition rules which state five players from the previous match must start.

Bury enjoyed the lion's share of possession early on but lacked the creativity to break through the Bradford back-line.

It was the hosts that had the first real chance of the game when Daniel Devine clipped the top of the wall with a 20-yard free kick but the ball looped over the bar.

Controversy struck on the 24th minute when former Wanderer Niall Maher clattered Hiwula in the Bury box but the referee bizarrely waved away the penalty appeals.

The opening goal arrived seven minutes later when Hiwula fed Vuckic in the box and the winger drilled a low shot past Ben Williams.

Four minutes later Bradford doubled their lead when Vuckic and Hiwula linked up again and it was the latter who tucked the ball under Williams.

After the break Hallam Hope and Jacob Mellis tried their luck from distance but both shots failed to trouble Rouven Sattelmaier – the replacement in the Bantams goal.

Flitcroft introduced substitute Tom Pope on the hour in an attempt to bolster his side's attack and the move paid dividends in the 68th minute when Walker showed neat footwork in the area to skip past two challenges and beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

Young midfielder Scott Burgess was given his first run-out of the season when he replaced Andrew Tutte in the 75th minute, and 16-year-old Rob Harker was handed his debut one minute from time but Bradford held out for the win which guarantees them a place in the next round.