Kelvin Mellor has spoken of the “encouraging steps forward” made by the Bantams following Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Peterborough.
His long-range strike, along with Luca Colville’s injury-time equaliser, earned a replay in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Mellor, who recently returned to the side following a lengthy lay-off, knew the first goal would bring the confidence needed to get the equaliser.
He said: “I didn’t really know what to do when I got the ball. I was in a lot of space and could have easily passed it.
“I thought I would take my chance and it hit the back of the net!
“I heard shouts to pass it - but thankfully I ignored them. If I had missed I would have been screamed at, but I was fortunate that it went in.
“The goal gave us the momentum we needed to go on and get the second.
“Two silly mistakes cost us in the first half. But we kept working hard and got the two goals we needed. The first made us believe we could get the second – and we did just that.”
The draw means City will face Middlesbrough in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup - if they can make it past Peterborough in Tuesday’s replay (7.45pm).
Mellor believes the result gained will inspire the Bantams to push even harder in the coming weeks, having only lost once in their last five games.
“It was a massive boost for us to have gone on and earned the draw,” added the former Blackpool man.
“It was frustrating to go in at half-time two down, but we always had confidence we could bring it back.
“We need to build on the performance, take confidence out of it and use it going forward.
“We have taken a lot of encouraging steps forward in recent weeks. We played well, passing the ball around into some good spaces and we worked hard for each other.
“Now we take it into the coming games and, hopefully, get the result we need in the replay.”
Tickets for Tuesday's second-round replay are still available and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE, or visiting the Northern Commercials Stadium's ticket office.