In a tightly contested first leg of their League One play-off semi-final, Bolton Wanderers secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bradford City at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, setting the stage for a thrilling return leg at Valley Parade.

The match's decisive moment came just after the hour mark when Amario Cozier-Duberry produced a moment of magic, curling a stunning left-footed strike into the far corner to give the Trotters the advantage. The young winger nearly doubled the lead moments later, only to see another clever effort crash against the post.

Bolton controlled large portions of the game, particularly in the first half, but struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut opportunities. The physical encounter saw both teams have penalty appeals waved away by the referee, adding to the tension of the playoff atmosphere.

Bradford's defensive organization kept them in the tie, with goalkeeper Sam Walker making a crucial save to keep the deficit at just one goal. The Bantams offered little in attack but will take heart from their strong home record this season as they prepare for Thursday's second leg.

Steven Schumacher's Bolton side now know that a draw in Yorkshire would be enough to book their place at Wembley, while Bradford will be looking to overturn the deficit in front of a passionate Valley Parade crowd. For fans of both clubs, this playoff battle is far from over, and the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion.