City’s under-18s’ 2021/22 FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end - with a 3-1 defeat at home to fellow category-three side Oldham Athletic.
Bantams skipper Bobby Pointon gave his side an early advantage, but a Jim Simms hat-trick ensured the Latics came out on top in the cup tie at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the opening moments of the contest when a cross from the left-hand side was headed into the back of the net from close-range by Pointon.
However, the lead would only last three minutes as the Greater Manchester outfit immediately hit back when forward Jim Simms went through one-on-one before finishing with his left foot.
Pointon then curled an effort from just outside the penalty area which was denied by goalkeeper Luke Southerington.
Martin Drury’s team again went close to re-taking the lead when Noah Wadsworth’s ambitious volley flew narrowly over the crossbar.
City threatened again when Dylan Youmbi found his way into the 18-yard box but hit his effort just wide of the far post.
Sam Bentley headed a cross into the back of the net just before the interval, but it was ruled out due to Wadsworth committing a foul in the build-up – which confirmed the game would remain level heading into the break.
The Latics grew in confidence after the break and took the lead 10 minutes into the second period, when a cross into the box found Simms whose looping header beat Harry Ambler.
City looked to respond, though, and Jack Wilson then went on a promising run down the left-hand side before playing the ball into Youmbi, who had his shot deflected behind for a corner.
Oliver Kilner was then shown two yellow cards in quick succession, meaning the visitors were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time.
The visitors sealed the victory, however, with the final kick of the game, when the ball fell to Simms inside the six-yard box who smashed in his hat-trick goal to ensure his side’s place in round three - where they will travel to QPR.
CITY: Harry Ambler; Tanaka Muambe (Sahil Bashir 67’), Jay Tinsdale (Freddy Jeffreys 60’), Sam Bentley (booked 83’), George Thewlis (booked 52’); Noah Wadsworth (withdrawn 82’), Bobby Pointon ©, Yahaya Tunkara, Jack Wilson; Dylan Youmbi, Cole Roberts (Keke Jeffers 77’). SUBS (not used): Ian Kamga, Sahil Bashir, Donald Kamwa, Leke Ajibode, Nathan Tinsdale.
GOALS: Bobby Pointon (3’).
OLDHAM: Luke Southerington; Trey Turner, Oliver Kilner (booked 90+3’, dismissed 90+3’), Isaac Modi (Jake Forshaw 90’), Favour Okeke; Aaron Atkinson, Frazer Cookson, Kofi Moore (Ryan Spencer 85’), Kane Badby; Harry Vaughn (Joe Edwards 66’), Jim Simms. SUBS (not used): James Cook, Alfie Atherton, Llyton Chapman, Harvey Green,
GOALS: Jim Simms (6’, 55’, 90+4’).