Oxford United 0 Bradford City 2
Two goals early in the second half from Andrew Davies and Nahki Wells respectively sealed a first league away win of the season against Chris Wilder's out-of-sorts Oxford United.
Early on in the game after a few exchanges between the two sides Kyel Reid almost troubled Us goalkeeper Ryan Clarke with a dipping 25 yard shot that flew narrowly wide of the goal.
A few minutes later, Wells chased down a James Meredith long ball, beating Clarke to it; he composed himself but his goal bound shot was blocked away for a corner.
Tony Capaldi was the first for the hosts to unleash a shot in anger towards goal; the full back picked up a loose ball just outside the area but his shot was sliced comfortably wide of goal and failed to trouble McLaughlin.
Oxford were awarded a freekick on the half-hour in a dangerous position after Luke Oliver was penalised for climbing on James Constable; Tom Craddock's firm drive though, struck the wall.
Early on in the second half Gary Jones forced Ryan Clarke to hold well with a curling freekick after Meredith had been brought down.
On the 52nd minute City took the lead. Kyel Reid's low shot forced Clarke into a smart save and Gary Jones' corner was powered into the top corner by the head of the un-challenged Andrew Davies.
Reid was playing his part in City's attempt to go for the jugular of Oxford and his crosses created two decent scoring chances in quick succession for Will Atkinson, but it was Oxford who had the next gilt-edged chance in the game. A loose ball was looped into the area by Leven and half cleared by Davies, the ball dropped to Constable who hammered a shot narrowly over the bar from inside the area.
On the 68th minute City doubled their advantage, the goal again coming from a Gary Jones corner. The skipper delivered a low corner which was flicked by McArdle to leave Wells unmarked to score an easy tap-in.
A couple of minutes later, McLaughlin had to be at his best to prevent Peter Leven's vicious freekick from nestling into the bottom corner; City's stopper denying the substitute at full stretch.
The Bantams should've grabbed a third goal in the closing stages when Thompson released Will Atkinson to surge into the area, his eventual shot was blocked before the onrushing Gary Jones blazed over from just inside the area.
The Full Time whistle confirmed City had moved up to 4th in League 2 after an impressive start to the season; all eyes now look towards Tuesday night's Capital One cup tie with Burton Albion in a bid to reach the last 16 of the competition.