Millwall v Bradford City: Character key if the Bantams are to pull off comeback

The Huddersfield-born defender was captain of the Leyton Orient side beaten on penalties in the League One final by Rotherham United despite having led 2-0 at half-time.

Alex Revell was the man who stopped the O’s dead in their tracks, the Millers striker netting twice in five mad minutes just before the hour to send the Wembley clash to extra-time and then those nerve-wracking spot-kicks.

Clarke was devastated to see the chance of Championship football slip away from what had seemed an unassailable position for the London club.

However, as Bradford tonight look to overcome a 3-1 first leg deficit, that painful lesson into the unpredictability of the play-offs could yet serve as an inspiration.

“Games in the play-offs can change quickly,” Clarke told The Yorkshire Post. “I still couldn’t tell you what happened in 2014.

“We got off to a fantastic start, got the two goals and we were just as focused at the start of the second half.

“We knew Rotherham would have had a fantastic gee-up at half-time, and then they scored an incredible goal. For him (Revell) to hit it like he did was heart-breaking. There was just nothing we could do.

“They got that lifeline and we couldn’t get that extra one to kick us on again once it had got back to 2-2. That afternoon just shows what the play-offs are all about. Anything can happen.”

City must hope that is the case tonight in south London. Few give Phil Parkinson’s men any chance against a side who have won their last five games.

Still, Bradford do have pedigree in overcoming the odds in the play-offs.

Twenty years ago, Chris Kamara’s Bantams lost 2-0 at home to Blackpool in the semi-final first leg, but bounced back to book a trip to Wembley on an unforgettable night at Bloomfield Road.

City also lost 3-2 in the 2013 play-offs against Burton Albion on home soil before turning things round in the return to progress by the odd goal in nine on aggregate.

Repeating those two comeback wins at The Den will not be easy. Neil Harris’s men, who last dropped a point on home soil on March 1, will be backed by arguably the most intimidating crowd in English football.

Clarke has experience of the hostile atmosphere that Millwall can generate on their own patch in the play-offs after being part of the Huddersfield Town side beaten 2-0 in the 2010 semi-finals.

He came off the bench that night as a youthful Terriers side were well beaten and admits City will have to show plenty of character tonight.

“We were a young group at Huddersfield,” recalls Clarke. “If you go down there and take it lightly, not quite being up for the game and not doing everything right, you will come unstuck.

“That game (at The Den in 2010) proved you have to be spot on in both games. And really look forward to it.

“At Bradford, we have a mixed group with plenty of experience and a good bit of youth. What we have to do is take the excitement of the young lads and put it with the experience of lads like myself, Rory McArdle, James Meredith and all the other lads.

“There are players with a lot of games and, hopefully, they can help settle a few nerves.

“We have lads here with a lot of character.

“You have to have people who are ready for the fight with you – behind you, backing you up. That is something that has happened all season long.

“We have some players here who are not just tough, but also fantastic on the ball and work really hard for the team.”

Clarke’s first taste of the play-offs came when home-town club Huddersfield won promotion from the basement division in 2004.

He then started both legs a decade ago as Barnsley beat Town in the semi-finals and was involved in 2010 against Millwall.

“I have had both ends of the play-offs,” said Clarke. “Disappointments but also the joy of going up. It is a fantastic feeling, not just for the players but everyone else, too.

“The play-offs are something you have to win. It is a big high if you win. People say it is the best way to go up, but it is tough if you are on the receiving end.

“I think back to 2014 and it was disappointing, but you have to take that experience and knowledge of how you felt at the time and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

James Hanson is again missing with a calf injury, but player of the year Reece Burke (groin) and Billy Clarke (cheekbone) could be fit.

Last six games: Millwall LWWWWW, Bradford City DLWWWL.

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).

Last time: Millwall 0 Bradford City 0; October 31, 2015; League One.