Stuart McCall’s Bantams were made to settle for a point in the EFL Trophy after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s - following a 1-1 draw at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Both goals came in the second half with the visitors taking the lead - through Austin Samuels - on the 61st-minute mark, however a late 83rd minute equaliser from Clayton Donaldson gave the hosts a point at full-time.
The only clear-cut chance of the first half came in a somewhat bizarre fashion as Samuels charged down Sam Hornby before blocking his clearance.
The ball bounced off the attacker before smacking the post and running out of play.
Then, 16 minutes after the restart, Wolves’ under-21s side drew first blood as Samuels finally put his name on the scoresheet.
The No.46 was first to react to a brilliant save from Hornby before slotting home to give James Collins’ side the lead.
McCall's men responded with seven minutes to spare after pressing for an equaliser deep into the tie.
Donaldson found himself free on the edge of the box after a calculated through ball from Kian Scales.
The City captain for the evening took the ball into his stride before delicately chipping Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy to equal the scores.
With the match level after 90 minutes, both sides battled it out for the bonus point through a penalty shoot-out.
The away side converted all their penalties but a Connor Shanks miss proved to be the Bantams' downfall as Wolves won 5-3 and gained the extra point.
CITY: Sam Hornby; Bryce Hosannah, Jackson Longridge, Paudie O’Connor, Finn Cousin-Dawson (booked 4’) (Reece Staunton 72’); Jorge Sikora, Harry Pritchard, Zeli Ismail (Connor Shanks 45’), Kian Scales; Dylan Mottley-Henry Clayton Donaldson (c). Subs (not used): Richard O’Donnell (GK); Tyler French.
GOALS: Clayton Donaldson (83’).
PENALTIES: Harry Pritchard (scored), Bryce Hosannah (scored), Connor Shanks (saved), Kian Scales (scored).
WOLVES: John Ruddy; Ki-Jana Hoever, Dion Sanderson (booked 57’), Ryan Bennett (c), Taylor Perry (Chem Campbell 90’); Meritan Shabani, Lewis Richards, Austin Samuels, Owen Otasowie; Theo Corbeanu, Hugo Bueno. Subs (not used): Andreas Sondergaard (GK); Pascal Estrada, Hong Wan, Cyriaque Mayounga, Conor Carty, Zhenyu He.
GOALS: Austin Samuels (61’).
PENALTIES: Austin Samuels (scored), Ki-Jana Hoever (scored), Meritan Shabani (scored), Theo Corbeanu (scored), Dion Sanderson (scored).