City secured their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with a 2-1 victory over Sky Bet Championship side Hull City.
Andy Cook’s first-half double at the University of Bradford Stadium saw the Bantams victorious in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
After a cagey, quiet opening, it was the visitors who struck first blood just after the midway point of the opening period.
Hull retained the ball inside the home penalty area, and Ozan Tufan sent a swerving effort goalward. Harry Lewis did brilliantly to tip the effort onto the crossbar, but the ball ricocheted back out off the City stopper and in.
The Bantams picked themselves up in search of an equaliser, which came on 39 minutes through Cook - on his first start of the season.
Brad Halliday whipped a menacing ball into the area, which was met with an equally-impressive header from City’s No.9, who dragged his side level.
Things got better for Hughes’ side just before the interval, as Cook doubled his tally for the evening to ensure the hosts went in at the break in front.
A corner was taken short and played into the area, allowing Jake Young to step over the ball and deceive the Hull defence. Cook pounced on the opportunity to strike, and did so with aplomb into the bottom corner.
The Tigers came out of the blocks fast after the restart, and Romoney Crichlow was called into action straight away to deny Mallik Wilks a free run at goal, with some superb last-ditch defending.
The two sides would continue to exchange spells of pressure throughout the second period. Jake Young remained a threat, while Lee Angol had a penalty appeal waved away for handball.
City could have been out of sight midway through the second period when Scott Banks slipped Harry Chapman through, though his effort trickles agonisingly wide of the far post.
Minutes later, Regan Slater rattled the post for Hull after connecting with the visitors’ first corner of the game, though the Bantams managed to hold on through five minutes of stoppage time to secure their passage through to the next round.
The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place LIVE on Sky Sports tomorrow, following coverage of Sheffield Wednesday v Sunderland.
CITY: Harry Lewis, Brad Halliday, Matty Platt, Romoney Crichlow, Liam Ridehalgh, Richie Smallwood, Alex Gilliead (booked 74’, Ryan East 76’), Richie Smallwood (C), Jake Young (Lee Angol 61’), Scott Banks, Harry Chapman (Levi Sutton 77’), Andy Cook (Vadaine Oliver 87’). Subs (not used): Colin Doyle, Luke Hendrie, Timi Odusina, Matty Foulds, Yann Songo’o.
GOALS: Cook (39’, 44’).
HULL: David Robson, Randell Williams (Oscar Estupinan 73’), Alfie Jones (Tobias Figueierdo 45’), Sean McLoughlin, Callum Elder, Andrew Cannon, Jacob Greaves (booked 27’, Lewis Coyle 45’), Ozan Tufan (Regan Slater 45’), Malik Wilks, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Benjamin Tetteh 63’), Vaughn Covil. Subs (not used): Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Matty Jacob, Jevon Mills, Callum Jones.
GOALS: Lewis (24’ OG).
ATTENDANCE: 5,394 (including 1,476 Hull City supporters).
REFEREE: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear).