Steve Thornber believes his youngsters can relish their night in the Valley Parade spotlight after City made it into the FA Youth Cup third round.

The young Bantams now face Histon at home after inching past Stourbridge on a penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw.

Youth coach Thornber said: “The lads will be buzzing about playing at Valley Parade again.

“They beat Grimsby in the first round there and really enjoyed being able to use the big wide-open spaces and get the ball down and pass it.

“And it makes it even more special being a night game under the floodlights. Nine times out of ten they are playing at 11am on a Saturday.”

City’s apprentices needed a last-gasp equaliser from Jamie Arundel to stay in it against Stourbridge before following the first team’s example from the penalty spot.

Thornber said: “It was a typical scrappy cup tie and they didn’t let us settle in our routine. Stourbridge had a typical non-league mentality but they were an absolute credit.”

The Histon tie must be played by December 15.