CITY 1 EVERTON under-21s 1

(City won 6-5 on penalties)

THE last time City shared a pitch with an Everton team was the day the lights went out on their Premier League dream.

Seventeen years on from the Goodison Park defeat that officially relegated the Bantams from the top flight, it was a very different occasion at Valley Parade last night.

A record low home crowd of just 902, 29 fewer than watched Rotherham’s Checkatrade Trophy visit last year, reflected the low-key surroundings as the vast majority voted with their feet for City’s belated entrance in the ugly duckling competition.

But at least those who were there saw the Bantams crack the losing habit – even if it needed to go all the way to penalties.

And there was a fairy-tale finale for 17-year-old Eliot Goldthorp, who was only a month old when City and Everton last locked horns, as the midfielder sealed his debut by thumping home the decisive spot-kick.

It also put a few smiles back on faces ahead of the far more significant league encounters to come.

David Hopkin wanted a win – and he just about got it in the end.

City had not bothered to print a programme, although the line-up was easily recognisable for the thin audience as Hopkin signalled his intention to try to break out of the current rut by naming a strong side.

Eight of the team beaten at Doncaster were there with Thomas Isherwood, George Miller and Jordan Gibson, a bit of a specialist in this tournament, also getting a chance.

It could be argued that the City boss didn’t have much option to change with so many current casualties. At least there was a welcome glimpse of Kelvin Mellor going through his paces well before the game – the first hint of returning cavalry.

Hopkin left City a month before that last encounter on Merseyside in 2001 but David Unsworth had been in Everton’s defence – and was present again in the dug-out as the boss of the young Toffees.

His team included England under-21 international Brendan Galloway and captain Tyias Browning, who played 27 games on loan at Sunderland last year.

The atmosphere was so lacking that you could hear Jim O’Brien swearing loudly at himself for shanking an early free-kick out of play.

Gibson offered the first shot of note midway through the half with a free-kick that flew straight to keeper Joao Virginia. The Portuguese youth international then raced almost 40 yards from his goal to beat Miller to a ball over the top.

Everton midfielder Josh Bowler protested loudly when a penalty shout was ignored but there was little to stir the fans. Wembley, where this Trophy eventually finds itself, could not seem any further away.

City, who were playing 4-4-2 with captain Anthony O’Connor at right back, were reliant on Gibson for their attacking output and he stung Virginia’s hands again as half-time approached.

But it was meagre fare for those who had made the effort to turn up with their team failing to stamp their authority on the first 45 minutes.

And Everton almost stole in front straight after the restart when Fraser Hornby’s low cross just eluded the stretching Nathan Broadhead.

Miller should then have done better at the other end after Gibson set him up as the contest thankfully showed signs of life.

Gibson went close with a 25-yard blast that Virginia did well to palm away and Anthony Evans was not far away for Everton.

Youth-team midfielder Goldthorp came on for his debut – and got an instant booking for a foul on Nathangelo Markelo before he had even touched the ball.

But there was some action at last. Fellow sub Sherwin Seedorf pinged a shot past the post before Richard O’Donnell was called into his first action with an alert save from Bowler.

Evans fluffed a glorious chance for Everton from six yards – nearly finding the corner flag with his effort. He’ll have been grateful the Bradford End was deserted.

But there was no let-off for City from their next foray, sub Bassala Sambou giving O’Donnell no chance as he smashed home from 15 yards.

Evans’ night, though, got worse as he was sent off for a second booking after scything down Seedorf’s break out of defence.

And City hit back in the first of five added minutes. O’Connor provided the cross that was swept home by Miller.

That took it to penalties – which caught out some fans who had already headed for the exits – and the first 10 were all put away confidently.

But Mannasse Mampala then rattled the bar, setting the stage for Goldthorp’s moment to remember.

CITY: O’Donnell 6, O’Connor 7, Isherwood 6 (Payne 81min), Knight-Percival 6, Wood 6, Scannell 6 (Seedorf 58min, 6), J O’Brien 6 (Goldthorp 55min, 7), L O’Brien 6, Gibson 8, Miller 7, Ball 7. Subs (not used): Powell, Staunton, Adams, Sykes-Kenworthy.