Mark Hughes’ Bantams progressed to round two of the Carabao Cup, with a penalty-shoot-out victory over Accrington Stanley.
Alex Pattison got off the mark for City, giving his side the lead on the stroke of half-time, before Josh Andrews equalised just after the hour mark to send the tie to spot kicks, where the Bantams prevailed 4-1.
It was a cagey opening to the tie at the Wham Stadium, with neither side able to enjoy much sustained possession. Andy Cook was adamant he felt a push in the back inside the box, just after 10 minutes, but the referee did not agree.
On the stroke of half-time, however, Pattison broke the deadlock with his first goal in City colours.
A long Harry Lewis ball forward was flicked into Pattison's path, and the No.10 smashed his shot low and hard past Toby Savin in the Stanley net, giving the Bantams the lead going into half-time.
On 66 minutes however, Stanley hit back. Substitute Josh Andrews, with his first touch of the game after just coming on, headed home from a corner to bring the game level.
The Bantams had another penalty shout in the 78th minute. Alex Gilliead, just after coming on, made a good run into the box and was thwarted from behind in front of the City fans. They appealed for a penalty, but the referee pointed to the ball.
As the clock ticked down towards penalties, both teams were fighting hard to find a winner. But that winner never came and the game would be decided by spot-kicks in front of the travelling Bantams.
City won in great fashion. They scored all four of their penalties taken by Cook, Gilliead, Jamie Walker and Oduor, who clinched the winner. Accrington netted their first, though Jack Nolan hitting the crossbar and Korede Adedoyin slipping as he took gave Oduor the opportunity to win it.
The Bantams progressed to the second round and will discover their opponents in the draw tomorrow evening.
ACCRINGTON: Toby Savin (GK), Brad Hills, Liam Coyle (Tommy Leigh46’), Shaun Whalley (C), Matt Lowe (Jack Nolan 64’), Seb Quirk, Rosaire Longelo (Oliver Patrick 90’), Dan Martin, Aaron Pickles, Connor O’Brien (Josh Andrews 64’), Korede Adedoyin. Subs Not Used: Liam Isherwood, Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Sean McConville, Seamus Conneely, Anjola Popoola.
GOAL: Andrews (66’).
PENALTIES: Leigh (Scored), Nolan (Missed), Adedoyin (Missed).
CITY: Harry Lewis (GK), Brad Halliday, Liam Ridehalgh (Luke Hendrie, 74’), Matthew Platt, Richie Smallwood (C) (Alex Gilliead 74’), Jamie Walker, Andy Cook, Alex Pattison (Tyler Smith 90+12’), Clarke Oduor, Sam Stubbs, Ciarán Kelly. Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Emmanuel Osadebe, Ryan East, Timi Odusina, Kevin McDonald, Matt Derbyshire.
GOAL: Pattison (45+1’).
PENALTIES: Cook (Scored), Gilliead (Scored), Walker (Scored), Odour (Scored).
