Bradford City 2 Nottingham Forest 1: Hanson in right spot to finish off Forest

The intention seemed two-fold, to pay tribute to the most glorious day in the Bantams' history while also trying to inspire the current crop of players to write their own chapter of Cup success.

It was an admirable gesture at the start of this, the 100th season since City won the famous old trophy by beating Newcastle United in a Cup final replay at Old Trafford.

What the marketing men at Valley Parade may not have realised, however, is that the trick has been tried before in the 1948-49 season when Bradford suffered the ignominy of having to apply for re-election.

This time, though, the kit – which will only be used in cup ties this season – had a much happier outing as City reached the second round of the Carling Cup for only the second time in nine years.

Chief among those who will savour the memory of an enthralling night is David Syers, the young midfielder who spent last season playing in Conference North with Farsley Celtic and Harrogate Town.

He only signed on non-contract terms with Bradford yesterday morning but did his hopes of earning a full-time deal the power of good by snatching a second-half equaliser after coming off the bench.

Together with a superb display from City goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, it took the tie into extra-time.

And it was the home side who emerged victorious courtesy of a close-range finish from last season's top scorer James Hanson.

The dramatic finale had been in stark contrast to the opening 45 minutes when Forest had made light of being without five players – Chris Gunter, Robert Earnshaw, Brendan Moloney, Ryan Bertrand and Radi Majewski – due to the crazy scheduling of an international friendly during the first midweek of the Football League season.

Playing a neat brand of football that saw the midfield get forward in numbers to support Nathan Tyson at every opportunity, the visitors took just 13 minutes to fashion their first chance.

It came, as so much of Forest's good work in the opening half did last night, from an excellent ball from Chris Cohen as he picked out Paul Anderson.

The former Hull City trainee then looked up before swinging over an inviting cross that Bradford could only clear as far as Thornhill, who lashed his resulting shot just wide from 20 yards.

Tyson, who earlier had come within a whisker of charging down a Jon McLaughlin clearance, then brought a fine block from the City goalkeeper after being played through by Thornhill.

Six minutes later, however, there was nothing he could do to prevent Forest taking a deserved lead after another fine run and cross from Cohen had caught the City backline out.

The beneficiary was Thornhill, who after cleverly finding space at the back of the six-yard box controlled neatly before drilling an unstoppable shot beyond McLaughlin.

Going ahead was no more than the Championship side had deserved, although City had at least carved out a couple of their own opportunities during the opening 45 minutes.

The best fell to Jake Speight, who was unfortunate to see his goalbound effort from eight yards diverted over by McGugan.

Peter Taylor's response was to make three substitutions during the break. Initially, it did little to knock Forest out of their stride with McLaughlin being called into action within 36 seconds of the restart to keep out a stinging drive from McGugan.

But the triple switch paid off on 57 minutes when Syers finished from close range after Speight's initial shot had been blocked by Lee Camp.

Tyson hit a post for Forest in normal time before City claimed a notable scalp courtesy of Hanson's first goal of the season.

It came in 90 minutes after Speight, who showed enough promise to suggest he is going to be a handful for League Two defences this season, was fouled on the edge of the area.

Simon Ramsden, the third of Taylor's substitutes who had a telling impact on the game, then thundered in a free-kick that Camp could only block.

A goalmouth scramble ensured before Hanson netted to ensure the Bantams did justice to their illustrious strip.

Bradford City: McLaughlin; Rehman, Williams, Duff, O'Brien; Neilson (Ramsden 46), Doherty, Bullock (Syers 46), Daley (Hanson 46); Speight, Moult. Unused substitutes: Saxton, Oliver, Horne, Threlfall.

Nottingham Forest: Camp; Chambers, Morgan, Lynch, Cohen; Moussi, McGugan (Blackstock 72); McLeary, Thornhill, Anderson (Adebola 72); Tyson. Unused substitutes: Darlow, McKenna, Freeman, Gibbons, Rodney.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).