Whether or not Lee Crooks’ 56^th minute strike did actually cross the line will be debated for many months to come but Rovers didn’t help themselves after the incident and in truth shot themselves in the foot by allowing themselves to be affected by the goal and promptly conceding a penalty almost immediately which Windass converted.

As they had in the league game at Valley Parade last season, Rovers took an early lead through Chris Greenacre and were by far the better side for the remainder of the first half to such an extent that a second trip to Yorkshire in the second round to face Barnsley looked on the cards.  However most of the drama was saved for the second half and Rovers players and fans went home disappointed.

Rovers’ Manager Brian Little made just one enforced change to the side that won 2-0 at Doncaster with Luton Town requesting that Steven O’Leary did not become cup-tied in this game meaning that he was replaced in midfield by the returning Danny Harrison following surgery on a broken nose.

Former Rovers keeper Russell Howarth, who played in the league game against Rovers earlier in the season this time had to settle for a place on the bench as Donovan Ricketts began the game in the Bantams goal.

Playing once again in their blue third kit, Rovers began the game well with Steven Jennings looking effective in midfield in the early stages.  It was Jennings who was the provider when Rovers scored with their first clear-cut chance after just five minutes of the game.  Jennings received the ball on the edge of the Bradford penalty area and flicked it to Chris Greenacre who turned the ball past Ricketts for his seventh goal of the season.

Shortly after the opening goal, the news filtered through to Rovers travelling support that Barnsley away lay in wait in the second round for the winner of the contest and as Rovers, buoyed by having taken an early lead, took control of the contest that fixture looked all the more likely.

A Delroy Facey cross was narrowly missed by Steve Davies and Paul Linwood struck the bar as the home side struggled to control the visitors at times.  As well as the influential Steven Jennings in midfield, Chris Greenacre also looked menacing upfront for Rovers and had several chances to double his and Rovers’ tally for the day.

Donovan Ricketts twice had to make double saves to prevent further damage to the home side in the first half whilst at the other end, David Wetherall saw his header from a corner cleared off the line by Gareth Roberts as the Bantams crept into the game towards the end of the first half.

Rovers held their lead until half-time much to the delight of just over 700 travelling Rovers fans.  As the second half got underway, Bradford seemed to be a little more in the game although the first chance of the half fell to Rovers when Steve Davies did well on the right hand side and although Jennings met his low cross at the near post he could not divert it into the goal and the ball went into the side netting.

Just ten minutes into the second half, the talking points began as Rovers fans appealed, perhaps optimistically, for a penalty for handball although the ball had struck the defender at great speed right in front of the Rovers fans. 

In the Bradford attack that followed directly from that incident, Lee Crooks received the ball about 35 yards out and smashed it goalwards.  The ball stuck the crossbar and bounced down before landing in the hands of John Achterberg but Rovers fans were dismayed to see the referee’s assistant indicate that the ball had crossed the line for a debatable equaliser.

As the visiting fans turned on the referee Mr Ilderton, things were to get worse as the players seemed to allow themselves to be rattled by the equaliser and subsequently conceded a penalty just three minutes later when Sharps impeded Dean Windass who slotted home the penalty.  In the protests that followed the penalty award, Rovers’ midfielder Mark Rankine received his fifth yellow card of the season that will see him miss the home game against MK Dons next Saturday.

So from 1-0 up and comfortable, Rovers suddenly found themselves chasing the game.  Mark Rankine was replaced by Sam Aiston and shortly after that, Chris Dagnall replaced Steve Davies as Rovers looked for a way back into the game.

A couple of chances fell to substitute Dagnall and also to Greenacre and Harrison who wasted a good late chance.  Dean Windass and most of the Valley Parade crowd thought that Dean Windass had headed a third killer goal after a great flowing move by the home side but the celebrations were short lived as the controversial assistant referee flagged for offside.

Rovers ultimately failed to get back into the game and Paul Linwood was booked late on for a scuffle with a Bradford player.  The Rovers fans applauded the team off and then booed the officials before making their way home.

Rovers now have two important home games in League One in the next two weeks against MK Dons and then high-flying Swansea City.

Tranmere Man of the Match

Steven Jennings:  This award was rarely in doubt as Jennings worked tirelessly in the midfield and in the first half in particular was the key man for Rovers.  A promising performance from a player who seems to really be coming good.

The Team Line-Ups

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Bradford City: Ricketts, Edghill (Stewart 44), Wetherall, Bower, Emanuel, Muirhead, Schumacher, Crooks, Morrison (Cadamarteri 87), Windass, Cooke.

Subs Not Used: Howarth, Kearney, Claridge.

Tranmere Rovers: Achterberg, Linwood, Jackson, Sharps, Roberts, Davies (Dagnall 79), Jennings, Rankine (Aiston 71), Harrison, Greenacre, Facey.

Subs Not Used: Wilson, Zola, Goodison.

Booked: Emanuel, Windass (Bradford City) Rankine, Linwood (Tranmere)

Referee – E Ilderton (Tyne and Wear)

Brian Little - Speaking to Monday's Daily Post:

"I think there were three key moments leading up to Bradford's first goal, first we should have had a penalty when Danny Harrison's shot was handled. Within 20 seconds we should have had a throw which was given the other way."

Speaking of the disputed first Bradford goal, Little told the Daily Post "The fact that our goalkeeper John Achterberg caught the ball on the edge of his six-yard box after it had come off the bar means I can't believe it has gone over the line.”

"Until I see it or it's proven otherwise I believe that for the ball to hit the bar, go over the line and then bounce out six yards into play is impossible."

On the penalty decision that followed Little admitted he thought it was a penalty; "I can't dispute the penalty although the players think it was a harsh decision. Sharpie is adamant he did not catch the guy. I felt at the time he did it, with the state of the game and the momentum Bradford had got, I could believe the referee giving it.  But I do feel the three bad decisions within a matter of seconds before the first goal really cost us the game."

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