BRADFORD City manager Graham Alexander revealed his pride amid the hurt of his side’s play-off elimination to Bolton Wanderers – paying tribute to the reaction of Bantams supporters following the final whistle of the club’s semi-final second leg against Bolton Wanderers.

A late goal from Wanderers substitute Xavi Simons rubber-stamped a Wembley ticket for the Lancastrians, who won 1-0 on the night to follow on from their single-goal triumph by the same margin in the first instalment across the Pennines on Saturday.

A dramatic final quarter saw City go close to levelling the tie on aggregate through Max Power and Tyreik Wright – while a Kayden Jackson rebound was ruled out for offside – before the killer moment arrived from ex-Hull City man Simons in the 81st minute, after coming on as a substitute five minutes earlier.

Despite his side failing to book a place in the final against Stockport County on Sunday week, the reaction of home supporters among a record play-off crowd at Valley Parade – they clapped the hosts off at the final whistle - is something that the vastly-experienced manager will never forget.

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander applauds the fans after the Sky Bet League One play off semi-final second leg match at the University of Bradford Stadium, Bradford. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Bradford City manager Graham Alexander applauds the fans after the Sky Bet League One play off semi-final second leg match at the University of Bradford Stadium, Bradford. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

He said: "We've just lost a big game and the opportunity to go to a play-off final at Wembley so the feeling is understandable.

"But I've told them (players) that in nearly 40 years of football I've never seen a support base recognise a team's performance after a game that we've got beat in like that ever.

"That's down to the special feeling at this club, the players work ethic, their commitment to the game, if you're going to go down you go down swinging like that.

"That was some performance from my team I thought and it's a sore one to take because we want to win, but those scenes at the end will live with me for a long time."

Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher celebrates with Xavier Simons after the Sky Bet League One play off semi-final second leg match at the University of Bradford Stadium, Bradford. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Offering his take on his side’s progression into a final against north-weat rivals Stockport County, Wanderers boss and ex-Bantams midfielder Steven Schumacher added: "I thought it was a very tight game as I expected.

"Bradford were really good in the second half, they've had a brilliant season, they gave it their all tonight and thankfully we've managed to come out on top of what was a really tight game and hard fought.

"We knew the intensity was going to be a bit higher than what it was a couple of weeks ago in the league game, the intensity was a bit higher so it was difficult to find the spaces.

"I thought the threat in behind was the best option."