JOE TAIT’S first-half dismissal proved extremely costly as York City crashed to a resounding 4-1 home defeat to Bradford Park Avenue.

Tait was sent off in the 27th-minute after striking away Jake Beesley with a flailing arm, and the Minstermen’s hopes of salvaging anything from their Yorkshire derby effectively disappeared with him.

With Tait’s offence having taken place in the penalty area, Park Avenue were able to inflict a double punishment, with Beesley stroking home from the spot.

Beesley claimed his second goal of the season at the start of the second half, and York fell further behind when Jamie Spencer hammered home from long range.

Sean Newton briefly threatened a York recovery when he scored direct from a free-kick shortly after the hour mark, but Ben McKenna sealed a convincing Bradford win when he claimed his side’s fourth goal of the afternoon with eight minutes left.

York: Bartlett, Law, Tait, Allan, Newton, Harris (Bencherif 28), Griffiths (Langstaff 78), Hawkins, Moke, Burrow, Wright (Parkin 46).