Cheltenham Town 0 Bradford City 1: Bantams take step closer to Wembley in Trophy

The Bantams were indebted to Jordy Hiwula, who bagged the only goal of the game to put Stuart McCall’s side just two wins away from the Checkatrade Trophy final.

The hosts had found the back of the net through Diego De Girolamo however, he was adjudged to be offside.

City striker Billy Clarke was named among the substitutes as he continues his recovery from injury.

Both sides struggled to get going on a difficult playing surface at Whaddon Road.

James Hanson met Mark Marshall’s cross, only to nod his header wide in the first half.

The centre forward than had another chance to head the Bantams in front as he turned Stephen Darby’s cross wide.

Calum Kitscha had to be alert in the Robins’ net to keep out Marshall and then deny Daniel Devine with a fine double save.

Two minutes after the break De Girolamo seemingly gave the hosts the lead after a goalmouth scramble, only for his effort to be ruled out as the assistant’s flag went up.

Moments later former Sheffield United youngster De Girolamo dazzled his way down the wing, with Billy Waters forcing Rouven Sattelmaier into a top stop.

With 26 minutes left on the clock, Hiwula netted his ninth goal of the season from close range to send the visitors through to the quarters.

Late on Harry Pell had a great chance to send the match to extra-time but his header landed on the roof on Sattelmaier’s net.

Cheltenham: Kitscha, Boyle, Onariase, O’Shaughnessy, Barthram (Dayton, 72), Pell, Cranston, Rowe, Waters (Munns, 85), Wright, De Girolamo (Holman, 72). Unused substitutes: Clayton Storer, Downes, Bower.

Bradford: Sattelmaier, Darby, McArdle, Kilgallon, McMahon, Vincelot (Cullen, 45), Dieng, Devine, Marshall (Clarke, 68), Hanson (Knight-Percival, 77), Hiwula. Unused substitutes: Doyle, Meredith, Law,

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).

Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln stunned Sky Bet Championship side Ipswich with a stoppage-time goal from Nathan Arnold to secure a 1-0 win at Sincil Bank in their FA Cup third-round replay.

National League side Sutton are also in the fourth round after they knocked out 10-man AFC Wimbledon with a 3-1 victory at The Cherry Red Record Stadium to set up a televised tie against Leeds United.