THE BBC has been accused of losing sight of the magic of the FA Cup after once again choosing not to screen Bradford City's giant-killing cup run live on terrestrial television.

But City will get the chance to play in front of a national TV audience after BT Sport today announced plans to broadcast the quarter-final against Reading free to air.

The BBC's decision, however, not to choose the fixture as one of the two live games it shows has still irked City co-chairman Mark Lawn, who feels the corporation still has not grasped the romance of the Bantams' history-making cup run.

On March 7, the day City face Reading, the BBC has opted to instead show Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion.

It has also chosen to screen the following day's Manchester United v Arsenal match. The corporation said it felt the "most appealing" fixtures had been picked.

Bradford has already beaten Barclays Premier League sides Chelsea and Sunderland in the last two rounds, but neither match was shown on live television.

All quarter-final matches will be broadcast, and fans will be able to see City's match live on BT Sport, which announced the game will be free for non-subscribers to watch, on its website or on its Sky television platform.

Mr Lawn said: "I still don't think the BBC gets it.

"It is not just about Bradford fans wanting to see the match, people across the country want to see the minnows do well in the FA cup, and we are the minnows. They're not listening to what people are telling them.

"It is odd that the BBC, a public broadcaster, are going to let this go, but a private company like BT are bringing it to people for free.

"There is a hypocrisy in the decision. The BBC shouldn't sell the FA Cup as a David vs Goliath tournament, then as soon as it gets the chance to show Premier League teams it forgets about that idea.

"Well done to BT for opening this up to more people, they have done all they can."

Mike Thompson, chairman of the Bradford City Supporter's Trust, said: "The BBC seems to have lost sight of the FA cup magic.

"Early on they were showing lower level clubs and there was the excitement of the chase, clubs dreaming about going the whole way. Now they seem to be ignoring the lower level clubs.

"I think with this decision the BBC has already written Phil Parkinson's team talk."

A spokesman for the BBC said: "We believe we have selected the most appealing quarter final fixtures for our audiences, bearing in mind we share the order of picks with our broadcasting partners BT Sport.

"We will be showing extended highlights of all quarter final ties on Match of the Day, plus there’s live commentary of all matches on Radio 5 live. We’re pleased that all four ties will be televised and all eight clubs will receive £247,500.”

Head of BT Sport Simon Green explained his channel's decision to select the Bradford v Reading game, as well as Liverpool's home tie with Championship Blackburn the following day (kick-off 4pm).

He said: "The excitement of the FA Cup continues on BT Sport and we have two fantastic quarter-finals on the channel.

"This will be the second time that BT Sport have shown Bradford City in this year's FA Cup and because Bradford City Football Club have been very passionate about the UK seeing their amazing club run, BT Sport have decided to make the game against Reading available to everyone to watch, online, via BT TV and Sky."

The BBC will broadcast the Midlands derby between Aston Villa and West Brom at Villa Park at 5.30pm on March 7, and the showdown between Premier League giants Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday, March 9, (kick-off 7.45pm).