The Bantams were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup in the first round ‘replay replay’ at St James Park – losing 2-1 to Exeter City.
City took the lead in the first half thanks to Lee Angol’s fourth goal of the season, but two second-half Exeter strikes meant they will be the ones to advance to the next round.
The Bantams started perfectly with Angol scoring early on. Oscar Threlkeld crossed the ball to the far post, where the frontman brought the ball down and smashed it into the net.
In the 35th minute, Callum Cooke came close to putting the Bantams two goals up. Elliot Watt laid the ball off to Cooke, but he could not keep his effort down.
Elliot Watt struck the ball with venom just moments later forcing Cameron Dawson into a diving save minutes before half-time, in an opening period where the Bantams had the better of the opportunities.
Exeter came close at the start of the second half, as Owura Edwards played Josh Coley through, but Richard O’Donnell made a strong stop.
Just five minutes later, the home side got their equaliser, as the Bantams were unable to clear a ball to the far post and Timothee Dieng brought the ball down and found a way past O'Donnell.
The hosts then took the lead in the 80th minute, turning the game on its head, when two substitutes combined. George Ray scrambled the ball over the line from Archie Collins' corner to ensure the Grecians progressed.
EXETER: Cameron Dawson; Sam Stubbs (George Ray 68’), Josh Key, Timothee Dieng (c), Kyle Taylor (Archie Collins 56’), Jevani Brown (Jonathan Grounds 90’), Colin Daniel, Harry Kite, Owura Edwards (Matt Jay 68’), Josh Coley (Sam Nombe 68’), Alex Hartridge. SUBS (not used): Scott Brown, Jake Caprice, Jack Sparkes, Sonny Cox.
GOALS: Dieng (51’), Ray (81’).
CITY: Richard O’Donnell; Oscar Threlkeld (Finn Cousin-Dawson 89’), Paudie O’Connor (booked 76’), Niall Canavan (c) (booked 85’), Liam Ridehalgh; Levi Sutton (Theo Robinson 86’), Yann Songo’o, Elliot Watt (booked 90+1’); Callum Cooke (Matthew Foulds 89’), Lee Angol (Gareth Evans 89’), Alex Gilliead. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby, Fiacre Kelleher.
GOALS: Lee Angol (11’).
ATTENDANCE: 3,228 (81 visitors)
REFEREE: Charles Breakspear