City’s under-18s bowed out of the FA Youth Cup at the second-round stage - with a 3-1 defeat at Carlisle United.
First-half goals from Sam Fishburn and Adam Walton - followed by a second-half Lewis Bell penalty - proved enough to see off the young Bantams at Brunton Park.
The first opportunity of the game fell the way of the visitors when Cole Roberts’ low cross found Connor Morris, who steered his effort went wide of the near post.
It was the hosts though who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Elliott Day’s dangerous looping header was glanced in from close range by Fishburn.
Carlisle came close to adding a second when Fishburn’s near-post volley was saved by Bantams goalkeeper Tom Donaghy who kept the scoreline at 1-0.
City drew level in the 39th minute after Raj Palit’s deep corner was headed into the back of then net by under-16s Sam Bentley.
But the Cumbrians regained the lead just before the interval when Donaghy spilled the ball into the path of Adam Walton - who made no mistake in making sure the hosts went in at the break with a 2-1 lead.
Carlisle began the second period on the front foot and were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute, when Dylan Garvey was tripped in the 18-yard box.
Bell stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give Eric Kinder’s side a commanding two-goal advantage.
The hosts came close to adding a fourth when Bell struck a free-kick which cannoned back off the crossbar.
The Bantams were unable to produce a late comeback as the Cumbrians advanced into round three - where they will host category-one side Blackburn Rovers.
CITY: Tom Donaghy; Harvey Rowe, Sam Bentley, Tanaka Maumbe, Oliver Norman (George Thewlis 83’); Raj Palit (Dylan Youmbi 83’), Olivier Sukiennicki, Charlie Wood ©, Jack Wilson (Bobby Pointon 61’); Cole Robert, Connor Morris. Subs (not used): Darryl Ombang (GK), Leke Ajibode, Harvey Ormerod, Yahaya Tunkara.
GOALS: Sam Bentley (39’).
CARLISLE: Isaac Robinson; Roan Steele, Max Kilsby, Keelan Leslie ©, Josh Barnett; Elliott Day, Jack Ellis, Adam Walton, Sam Fishburn; Lewis Ball, Charlie Watt (Dylan Garvey 46’). Subs (not used): Gabriel Breeze (GK), DJ Taylor, Daniel Hill, Scot Simons.
GOALS: Sam Fishburn (20’), Adam Walton (45’), Lewis Bell (53’ pen).