Sunday 19 October 2014 10:32, UK
Nigel Clough insisted Sheffield United were not distracted by the future of Ched Evans following their 2-0 win over Bradford.
Evans, 25, was convicted of rape in May 2012 shortly after scoring 35 goals in 42 games for the club in season 2011-12. In all, Evans scored 48 goals in 113 games for the Blades following his £3million transfer from Manchester City in 2009.
His contract was terminated two months after his conviction.
There were chants in support of Evans from visiting fans and a banner was also unfurled in his support, but Clough said: "I didn't hear any chants, I am more pleased with the three points."
Almost 150,000 people have signed a petition opposed to seeing Evans return to professional football, but the player plans to take his case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, who have promised to hear his case within weeks.
Second-half goals from left-back Bob Harris and substitute Marc McNulty won the game for United after Bradford had been reduced to 10 men following the sending-off of captain Stephen Darby for a second bookable offence less than 30 seconds after half-time.
Clough added: "It was a very tough game. Even with 10 men you could see the pressure Bradford can put you under. They forced our keeper Mark Howard into a great save and also hit the post.
"I thought we deserved our win, but Bradford are always going to have a few chances against you because of the way they play, so I'm pleased with a clean sheet - our first since Easter Monday in the league.
"Sometimes it takes something special like Bob Harris's shot to break the deadlock. It's his first goal for two years. As soon as it left his foot it was going into the corner of the net. It was a great finish."
Bradford's best chance fell to Jason Kennedy, who headed the ball against a post from Mark Yeates' cross in the 80th minute.
Bantams boss Phil Parkinson disputed Darby's sending-off and said: "I have just seen it on TV.
"The first tackle was definitely a yellow card. I just feel the referee could have managed the situation better and used a bit of common sense for the second incident. There was minimal contact. Stephen just feels he has let the lads down.
"Even after we went down to 10 men we did well and it took a good goal to break us down.
"As far as the second goal was concerned you cannot legislate for the ball bobbling over Andrew Davies' foot and that goal killed the game."
