RICHIE Smallwood’s first attempt cleared everyone in the Salford box and sailed out for a goal kick.

A second free-kick suffered the same fate. This time, the City skipper tried to catch out the home defence by slipping a no-look pass towards the byline for Tyreik Wright to chase.

Unfortunately, the winger’s pursuit proved pointless as again Smallwood had put too much on the pass and it rolled straight out of play.

The groans among the packed away end were clearly audible even from the other end of the pitch.

City’s set-piece shortcomings have been a source of frustration through the whole season.

In fact, you could argue it has been a weak point for the Bantams for considerably longer – considering that it took until this time last year for Sam Stubbs to convert the first goal by a defender.

So, when City won another foul midway inside Salford territory just before half-time, there was hardly a buzz of anticipation.

But this time Smallwood nailed it. His delivery was on the money, Matty Platt won the goal-mouth aerial duel and Calum Kavanagh predicted the right spot for it to drop and bundled in from close range.

For once, piling the big men forward from a dead ball had paid off. It was a rare occurrence.

In their 43 games, City have scored just seven times from set-pieces - equal bottom in League Two with Swindon.

The division average is 14 and leaders Stockport have scored 22. Walsall, this Saturday's opponents, are second highest on 20.

The Bantams have converted only four corners, again half the average of the 24 teams. Walsall lead the way with 17.

The XG stats suggest that City should have scored at least four more from set-piece opportunities - those potential added points gained might have kept things a bit more interesting at this stage.

The current strike rate of roughly one goal from every 29 corners is another strong indicator of why they are not in the end-of-season mix.

No wonder it's an area that Graham Alexander admits they are actively working on in training – and will continue to do so to address the deficit next season.

In the team with the third lowest goals tally in League Two, set-piece conversions remain a big hole.

“The team hasn’t scored enough goals over the last two years really,” admitted boss Alexander.

“We don’t just want to talk about strikers in that element. We talk about the wing-backs, we talk about the eights, the centre halves at set-pieces.

“We try to focus a little bit more on them and try different things to find a more effective set-piece because they are so important.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Matty Platt celebrates with Jamie Walker after his header against Forest Green - one of only four City goals from corners in the league this season Matty Platt celebrates with Jamie Walker after his header against Forest Green - one of only four City goals from corners in the league this season (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“That goal was great because Richie had a couple of set-pieces just before that which didn’t come off.

“He knows that but he still has the courage and quality to stand up for the next one and it was a brilliant ball in.

“Platty’s headed it across the goal and Kav’s followed it through and not just stayed on the same spot.

“You have to get goals from all over the pitch if you want to be successful, from set-pieces, from defenders and midfield players as well as attackers.

“It’s one thing we haven’t been particularly strong at on an attacking side. Defensively, touch wood, we’ve been pretty good.

“But for the physical attacking threats we have at set-pieces, we don’t score enough.”