Huddersfield 2 Bradford 2: Bantams hold their nerve in shoot-out to see off Town

After knocking out Sheffield Wednesday in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round, the Bantams have now doubled their list of League One scalps with a win 4-3 on penalties ending Huddersfield Town’s hopes of reaching Wembley.

Throw in the almighty scare that the League Two side gave neighbours Leeds United in the Carling Cup back in August and City fans must be hoping their side can draw Sheffield United in the next round.

City’s passage to the Northern Area quarter-finals last night was secured by a penalty shoot-out victory, Nialle Rodney converting the decisive kick amid huge tension after Antony Kay and Tommy Miller had missed for Town.

The shoot-out drama was entirely in keeping with the 90 minutes that had preceded City’s dramatic triumph from the spot as the 10,489 crowd were treated to a derby classic.

Phil Parkinson’s side could, in fact, consider themselves unlucky not to have won the tie without the need for a shoot-out, especially considering the chances they created, while fewer in number, were often of a more clear-cut nature.

This was certainly the case in a scoreless first half with City wasting a glorious opportunity on 33 minutes. Mark Stewart was the guilty party, failing to meet Flynn’s inviting cross with sufficient power to trouble Nick Colgan despite being unmarked eight yards out.

Huddersfield went close to breaking the deadlock on a number of occasions, most notably in stoppage time when Lee Novak bundled the ball into the net only for the linesman to rule that the striker had been offside.

The official may have got the decision right but, even so, it was a clear warning that any slackening of effort from City would be punished by their hosts.

It was one that was heeded, the League Two side going ahead in the 55th minute courtesy of a few seconds Kay will want to forget.

First, the Terriers substitute horribly misjudged a sliding tackle on Luke O’Brien to earn himself a booking. Then, from the resulting free-kick by Chris Mitchell, Kay could only divert the ball into his own net under heavy pressure.

Within seven minutes, Town were level courtesy of a cool finish from the spot by Miller after Guy Branston fouled Peter Clarke.

Logic suggested that would be the prelude to Huddersfield assuming control and smoothing their passage into the next round.

Instead, it was the Bantams who responded impressively to regain the lead just three minutes later.

Again, expert delivery from the flank undid the Terriers defence as Luke Oliver powered an unstoppable header past Colgan.

Town badly needed some inspiration and it came in the form of captain Clarke, who showed tremendous poise and skill to smash a half-volley past Duke after the visitors failed to clear a corner.

The two sides could not be separated, although both went into penalties full of confidence, Town having beaten Bournemouth in the play-off semi-final in May, while City had held their nerves in similar situations against Port Vale, Notts County and Wednesday in the past 13 months.

It was confidence that proved well-placed with only Flynn missing out of the Bantams’ five takers to ensure it was more derby day delight for the 2,498 visiting fans who had made the short trip from Valley Parade.

Huddersfield Town: Colgan; Hunt, Clarke, Cooper (Kay 46), Naysmith; Ward, Gobern (Miller 30), Robinson, McDermott (Roberts 71); Novak, Lee. Unused substitutes: Bennett, Miller, Arfield, Roberts.

Bradford City: Duke; Moore, Branston, Oliver, Threlfall; Mitchell (Davies ), Flynn, Compton (Reid 84), O’Brien; Hannah (Rodney 8), Stewart. Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Bryan.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).