It was the goal that began the fightback; the defiant volley which suggested that Bradford City’s season of the unexpected was set for one more dramatic twist.

They were 2-0 down to Southend at Valley Parade and their play-off race seemed run. Seventh place was at least eight points adrift and the gap was growing.

Zavon Hines was having a particularly wretched afternoon until it suddenly changed with a flashing finish into the bottom corner. James Hanson completed the recovery with a late header and City had salvaged a point.

Three successive wins later and the gap had been bridged. As Exeter crashed, City seized the final play-off spot that they never relinquished.

“It was definitely a big goal for me but a lot of little things add up,” said Hines. “If it wasn’t for Hans scoring that day, we wouldn’t have got the point.

“There were other games like that. We were losing 1-0 at home to Aldershot but grafted it out and got a penalty at the end.

“People outside might not think that was a great result but at the time that was a point gained because of the timing.

“It was frustrating when we were tenth or 11th. We knew we were better than our position but we had games in hand.

“We knew we would still end up where we wanted to be. Apart from the Rotherham game, we went unbeaten for quite a while.”

The winger maintains his confidence was never shaken even when City appeared to be drifting away from the play-off chase. So he was not surprised by their powerful finish down the home straight.

“It might have shocked a few people but not our team. We always had the belief we could do it – though maybe not with a game to spare.

“Nobody in the team lost faith. That’s part of being a professional. You concentrate on what you’re good at and the results will come.

“I’ve always had a belief since the first game I played here that our team is better than most in this league. But it’s all about consistency and getting results and we had to go out there and do it.

“In the last few weeks, we’ve shown that ability and played some good football at times to get where we are now.”

City have been installed as narrow play-off favourites with the bookies, despite being the lowest finishers. History is on their side with the seventh-placed team reaching the final for the past four years.

Hines added: “We definitely should go up but that’s just me being over-confident! But if we do what we have been for the last few weeks, I don’t see why we can’t.

“We’ve been playing well and the team are confident. We’re also scoring goals again – Nahki (Wells) is back on form and Hans has been doing a good job all along.

“It’s not just about one player being outstanding for the team. Everyone has contributed in certain parts of the season and can be proud of what they’ve done.

“Rick (Ravenhill) has come in and given us good defensive stability in midfield. And Alan Connell has not started that much but he’s contributed a lot with his goals.

“It’s been an all-round performance to get us this far.”

Burton will be making their second trip to Valley Parade within a fortnight when they arrive for Thursday’s eagerly-anticipated first leg. While previous results seem immaterial, Hines is backing City’s cup heroics to give them the edge.

“It’s a whole new ball game now. But we’re used to cup competitions – we’ve been to a final after all.

“We know that every game counts and you have to concentrate on every moment. You’ve just got to focus on the job.

“I said from the start of the season that our main aim is to go up and we’re almost there. One last push and hopefully we can do it.”