The away side were better in the early stages than their hosts but Dale had keeper Frank Fielding to thank for two top class saves either side of the break that gave them the platform to go on and win the game.
The Bantams' leading scorer Peter Thorne was denied by the on-loan keeper when he found himself through on goal and with virtually the first action of the second half, skipper Graeme Lee saw his point-blank header brilliantly saved.
From then on the rampaging home side never looked back and took the lead on 49 minutes when central defender Rory McArdle glanced home a Mark Jones free kick.
Leading scorer Adam Le Fondre then got in on the act with a brace of penalties.
On 59 minutes McArdle's goal bound header was handled in the box and though city keeper Rhys Evans got his hand to Le Fondre's spot kick he couldn't keep it out.
By now the home side were completely on top with teenage winger Will Buckley in particular causing major problems for the visiting defenders. No fewer than four of them received yellow cards for less than pretty challenges as they tried to halt him.
The scoring was completed with fifteen minutes to go when Le Fondre was upended in the box by Matt Clarke and he calmly slotted home to wrap up the points.