Gary Bowyer's battling Bantams were rewarded for a strong second half showing after coming from behind to secure a deserved victory over Northampton Town at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Trailing at the break through Northampton skipper Charlie Goode's goal midway through the first period, City threw everything at their opponents following the restart.
Substitute Zeli Ismail's cross was put into his own net by Town defender Michael Harriman with thirteen minutes to go for the Bantams' equaliser.
City's come-back was then complete with the clock edging towards ninety minutes when Paudie O'Connor fired in after Kelvin Mellor's header had been well-saved.
The only downside on the day for Bowyer's men came in injury time when Ismail, who looked bright upon his appearance off the bench, was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Ahead of the late drama, James Vaughan found himself on the end of a great chance to open the scoring as early as the thirteenth minute when the striker burst clear in the box.
Vaughan had Harry Pritchard in support, but the City skipper elected to go it alone and his low drive was held by David Cornell.
Northampton took the lead with twenty minutes on the clock through captain Goode.
The Cobblers centre half got his head onto a Joe Martin corner and the ball bounced into the corner despite the best efforts of Richard O'Donnell and Clayton Donaldson.
The visitors thought they had a second goal just minutes later but Matt Warburton's close range effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
As City looked for a way back into the encounter before the break, their best scoring opportunity in the remainder of the first period came via Donaldson just ahead of the half hour point.
The Bantams number ten side-footed an effort narrowly past the far post from a Pritchard cross into the box from the left.
Keen to get back in the game, City came roaring out of the blocks after the restart.
Pritchard headed narrowly wide of the far post five minutes into the half from a Matt Palmer corner.
O'Connor also threatened from a set-piece later in the half when the Irishman flashed a header wide from a Pritchard corner.
With City looking dominant at this stage, Donaldson nearly had the Bantams level when he beat Cornell to a long ball forward.
Donaldson's header was bouncing for goal, but a recovering Martin got back to hook clear off the line.
Out of nowhere, however, Northampton nearly doubled their lead fifteen minutes from the end when Oliver headed for goal.
The sub's looping effort looked to dipping in but O'Donnell back-pedalled to make an important tip over.
That save proved even more vital just minutes later when City finally found their equaliser.
Ismail drove a low centre across the six yard box and Harriman could only put into his own net while under pressure from Donaldson.
It was all City at this stage, but Northampton nearly edged their noses in front during a goalmouth scramble five minutes from the end.
Oliver prodded for goal from close range but O'Donnell made a superb reaction save low to his right.
As it did ahead of City's equaliser, that O'Donnell save once more was vital to the Bantams as Bowyer's men roared in front soon after.
A minute before the end of normal time a Pritchard cross from the left found the head of Mellor. The right back's brilliant header was well kept out by Cornell, but O'Connor was on hand to fire home the loose ball - sparking wild scenes of celebration in the home stands.
Sadly for the Bantams, Ismail was given his marching orders in injury time for a second bookable office. But City's ten men still eased themselves over the line - despite over seven minutes in total of over time played - to claim a welcome win.
CITY: Richard O'Donnell; Kelvin Mellor, Paudie O'Connor, Ben Richards-Everton, Connor Wood; Harry Pritchard, Matthew Palmer, Daniel Devine (Callum Cooke 68'), Dylan Connolly (Zeli Ismail 68'); James Vaughan (c) (Anthony O'Connor 90+4'), Clayton Donaldson
Subs not used: Sam Hornby (GK), Jordan Gibson, Jermaine Anderson, Aramide Oteh
GOALS: Harriman O.G (77'), P O'Connor (89')
CAUTIONS: P O'Connor (79'), Ismail (84')
DISMISSALS: Ismail (90+2)
NORTHAMPTON: David Cornell; Michael Harriman, Charlie Goode, Jordan Turnbull, Joe Martin; Shaun McWilliams, Matty Warburton (Billy Waters 67'), Chris Lines; Nicky Adams (Scott Wharton 73'), Andy Williams (Vadaine Oliver 54'), Sam Hoskins
Subs not used: Andy Fisher, Harry Smith, Scott Pollock, Egli Kaja
GOALS: Goode (20')
CAUTIONS: Martin (33'), Oliver (79'), Hoskins (85'), Turnbull (90+2)
Attendance: 13,678 (399 visitors)
Referee: Leigh Doughty