Parkin praise for Stead

Bradford's assistant manager Steve Parkin praised on-loan striker Jon Stead's contribution in the 3-1 win over 10-man Leyton Orient.

Much-travelled Stead, 31, on loan from neighbours Huddersfield, scored the third goal that put the seal on Bradford's win and Parkin said: "Jon is very positive in the dressing room, he has a terrific work ethic and he is a definite winner. "He is winning headers, running the channels, dropping back and helping the midfield players. "He has got a tremendous amount of fitness and energy for someone of his age. "He enjoys winning and scoring goals. "He has got a nice little partnership going with Billy Clarke and long may it continue." Parkin said that despite recent home results he was not concerned about his side's form at Valley Parade. "I think if you are playing poorly and not getting results that is a worry, but I thought it was only going to be a matter of time before we got a win and we deserved it. "We could have scored half a dozen goals and Orient must have gone into the dressing room at half-time and been happy because there was only one goal in it. "There is a good feeling about our lads at the moment. There is a good work ethic in the squad and if you work hard, do the right things and have good players things will happen for you. "There is a good energy and terrific work-rate among the front players that made it difficult for Orient. "The squad is taking shape and we feel we are in a good place." Bradford dominated the first half and their pressure paid off three minutes before the interval with a goal by midfielder Billy Knott. Orient equalised in the 75th minute when substitute David Mooney took advantage of a mistake by defender Rory McArdle and raced away to slot the ball unto the far corner, but Bradford secured their win with two goals in three minutes. The visitors lost striker Chris Dagnall two minutes later, sent off for a foul on Knott and Bradford took advantage. Clarke restored their lead in the 79th minute with shot high into the net from James Meredith's cross and Stead added a third in the 81st minute after closing down an attempted clearance from Legzdins. Orient manager Mauro Milanese disputed the sending off, claiming it was"a 100 per cent yellow" but not a red-card offence. Milanese said: "Bradford were the stronger team in the first half, but we played the better football in the second half and had the chances to score a second goal. "I think we would have drawn the match if it had been 11 against 11. The game changed when the referee sent off Chris Dagnall." Orient midfielder Josh Wright, on loan from Millwall, agreed with his boss. He said: "I didn't think the sending off was justified. There were worse tackles even on me during the match. "Once we got the equaliser we felt we had the momentum to win the match. It is very frustrating. "In the first half they were better than us, but I thought we had the momentum in the second half. "We know we are in a relegation battle, the league table doesn't lie, but we are professionals and we have got to stick together and work hard on the training pitch."