HE IS already drawing admiring comparisons with Rory McArdle – and not just because he has followed the same route to Valley Parade via Aberdeen.

But it was the touch of Stephen Darby-esque goal-line theatrics that capped an impressive first showing from City centre half Anthony O’Connor at Shrewsbury.

The vice-captain was the pick of the bunch as the Bantams gave fledgling boss Michael Collins a winning start at the weekend.

O’Connor, more than anyone, summed up the “thou shalt not pass” mentality when the home side turned the screw either side of half-time.

And his agility to deny Omar Beckles what looked a certain equaliser was as significant a part in the opening-day victory as Jack Payne’s goal.

City fans have been spoiled in recent years with the super-human efforts that Darby would display on the line. Phil Parkinson used to joke that the full back pulled off so many last-gasp blocks, he could have brought out his own highlights film.

O’Connor’s first entry was right up there as he defied the Shrewsbury defender – and the laws of physics – to turn the goal-bound shot over the bar.

The Irishman’s matter-of-fact description of events sums up a character who is fast emerging as one of the main men in the new-look dressing room.

“The ball went over my head and I just saw it go to the back post,” he recalled.

“They had some big lads back there and I was thinking to myself ‘there’s every chance they could win it here’.

“I just had to get myself back on the line to help out Rich (Richard O’Donnell) in case one came back across him.

“The lad ended up getting a shot on goal and luckily I got myself back there to be in the right place at the right time. I just put my head on it and it ended up going over the bar.

“But it’s going to need that throughout the season and not just from me.

“It could be Kelvin Mellor clearing off the line next week, it could be Chicks (Adam Chicksen) the week after. I’m happy that I played my part but all the lads were superb.”

While City’s attacking ethos rightly won the plaudits from the 1,400 travelling fans in Shropshire, the efforts at the other end demonstrated a determination not to let their advantage slip.

For O’Connor, keeping the ball out of the net is just as satisfying as scoring.

He added: “I’d rather win 1-0 than score five and concede two. There is nothing better than keeping clean sheets for defenders – that’s what gives us a buzz.

“We said in the dressing room at half-time that we needed to weather the storm. Shrewsbury had a little spell in the first half as well when they were getting a bit of space in midfield.

“They weren’t getting that in the first 20 minutes when we were all over them. We were like rashes.

“But they had spells when they hit the bar a couple of times and there were other chances.

“Sometimes you need a bit of luck and we managed to get that. But we could have scored two or three more ourselves.

“Saturday was just down to who wanted it more. It was about getting over the line with that first win and we managed that.”

O’Connor was one of the 11 new faces making their competitive debut in a Bantams shirt. He was pleased to finally get into the campaign proper after the phoney war of pre-season.

“Obviously everyone’s up for the first game,” he said. “Pre-season is just that and getting you ready for when the real stuff comes around.

“There are a lot of new lads in the squad but I think you can tell that we’ve been working really hard together over the last few weeks. We’ve worked to try and gel.

“Everyone worked their socks off for each other. George Miller ran himself into the ground up front, putting defenders under all sorts of pressure.

“And we managed to keep a clean sheet, so it was a good first day all round.

“It’s always important to get the momentum going and get the wins on the board as early as you can.

“The last thing you want to do is lose three or four on the bounce to start off and the next thing you know, everybody else is nine or 10 points ahead of you.

“It wasn’t the most complete performance and we will get better. But we’ll take the win and move on to next weekend.”