CITY got caught up in the occasion as they sneaked past Bolton's youngsters on a penalty shoot-out tonight.

That was Gary Bowyer's verdict after the Leasing.com Trophy clash finished 1-1 after 90 minutes at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Paudie O'Connor salvaged the draw for City following Dennis Politic's early opener before the Bantams won 4-3 on spot-kicks - against a side with an average age of 19.

Over 9,000 watched the game - Bolton's first at home since being saved by new owners - and Bowyer admitted the noisy atmosphere affected his team.

He said:"Once the referee knocked on the door and told us kick-off was going to be delayed, you knew how the game was potentially going to be.

"The occasion caught out a few of our younger lads, if I'm being honest. It wasn't your normal Leasing.com type of game when you get about 500 people.

"I told them to settle down at half-time and play the game, not the occasion. They just had to relax."

Jamie Devitt went off with a hamstring injury in the first half, which will rule him out of the Northampton game at the weekend.

Bowyer added: "He overstretched it going for the ball. We'll know a little bit more tomorrow but it didn't look good the way he went down.

"It's a massive blow. He didn't have much in terms of minutes in pre-season.

"We took him off on Saturday because of cramp but the plan was always to give him more minutes tonight. So fingers crossed for him.

"But it was a privilege to be involved because it became a wonderful occasion for a fantastic football club. You saw the importance of what a football club means to a community after last week's sad news with Bury.

"I know Keith Hill and David Flitcroft well and with the appointment of the two of them, and the brand of football they play, this place is going to be rocking."