The Bantams were beaten in their first Papa John's Trophy Northern Group F fixture - losing out 3-0 to Lincoln City.
The Imps netted three goals in the opening 49 minutes which proved enough to see off the Bantams at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
It was Derek Adams’ side who had the first opportunity of the game when Alex Gilliead’s eventual effort was denied by visiting goalkeeper Sam Long.
The Bantams then created another chance to open the scoring when Gilliead found Andy Cook - whose swerving effort was tipped over the crossbar.
Michael Appleton’s men broke the deadlock when Cohen Bramall’s cross was headed into the back of the net by Tom Hopper.
With just over half an hour on the clock, City went agonisingly close to finding an equaliser when Gilliead’s strike was cleared off the goal-line by Lewis Montsma.
The visitors doubled their advantage, however, when Hakeeb Adelakun produced a neat piece of skill before finishing past Sam Hornby to ensure his side took a two-goal lead into the interval.
Lincoln added another in the early stages of the second period when Lewis Fiorini played the ball to top goal-scorer Anthony Scully, whose curling effort nestled into the net.
They then went close to scoring again, but Oscar Threlkeld was able to block Regan Poole’s effort on the line.
Substitute Caolan Lavery went on a promising run for City, but his right-footed effort was unable to find the target, as the hosts left empty-handed.
CITY: Sam Hornby; Oscar Threlkeld (Matthew Foulds 73’), Paudie O’Connor ©, Fiacre Kelleher, Liam Ridehalgh, Elliot Watt (Levi Sutton 59’), Gareth Evans, Callum Cooke, Alex Gilliead; Charles Vernam, Andy Cook (Caolan Lavery 59’). SUBS (not used): Richard O’Donnell (GK), Niall Canavan, Yann Songo’o, Oliver Crankshaw.
LINCOLN: Sam Long; Regan Poole, Lewis Montsma, Hakeeb Adelakun (Remy Longden 79’), TJ Eyoma; Liam Bridcutt © (Conor McGrandles 72’), Lewis Fiorini, Teddy Bishop (Lasse Sorensen 62’), Cohen Bramall; Anthony Scully, Tom Hopper. SUBS (not used): Matt Boylan, Adam Jackson.
GOALS: Tom Hopper (14’), Hakeeb Adelakun (36’), Anthony Scully (49’).
REFEREE: Andrew Kitchen.
ATTENDANCE: 1,739 (234 visitors).