Jack Shepherd’s special moment in win to enjoy for Bantams

That knows if Zinedine Zidane is one of those individuals that Googles their own name?

But if the accomplished Frenchman happens to come see his name in Valley Parade’s post-match accolades, you’d think a Gallic bow of thanks for Jack Shepherd’s direction would be very much in order.

Graham Alexander mentioning Zidane’s stunning goal for Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final is unexpected, especially for a man of many words like the City manager.

Of course, it is not the same stage, but Gillingham will have felt the same despair that Bayer Leverkusen did over two decades ago as the screaming volley flew into the top corner. Nobody in the world can stop those.

It also supplied the most emphatic response to the good-natured jibes at the training ground the day before.

“Any chance of the centre halves getting on the end of anything” was the substance of the comments that had circulated throughout the changing room.

Set-pieces, and, more significantly, City’s lack of end product from them, have become a hot topic among managers and players alike. Is there any chance of a goal?

Like London buses, you wait a long time for one, and suddenly two arrive at the same time.

The center halves’ union responded with not one, but two goals from set plays.

Neill Byrne set the ball rolling from a Jamie Walker corner, before Shepherd delivered the final talking point with his storming finish after Gillingham failed to deal decisively with Richie Smallwood’s free kick.

The visiting back four focused on the major objective assigned to them by boss Mark Bonner: taming Andy Cook.

But instead, they came unstuck against two defenders.

City, having trailed at home for the first time this season, were on their way to a third straight win and belief surged through Valley Parade veins.

The formbook had suggested that was on the cards given that Gillingham had won only one of their previous 10 meetings.

They also stumbled into BD8 on the back of three straight losses which has made their stay at the League Two summit a very brief one.

It’s been a while since Neil Harris used to large it about never being beaten at Valley Parade….

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