Phil Parkinson lauded City for going “above and beyond the call of duty” as they pulled off a derby upset in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The Bantams came through their second straight penalty shoot-out in the competition to dump Huddersfield 4-3 on spot-kicks at the Galpharm.
City had led twice in the game through an Antony Kay own goal and a Luke Oliver header but it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Michael Flynn then missed the first kick in the shoot-out but Mark Stewart, Robbie Threlfall, Kyel Reid and Nialle Rodney all kept their cool on a dramatic night.
Parkinson said: “I’m really proud of the boys. It was a tremendous performance and I would still be saying the same if we’d lost the penalty shoot-out.
“I had to leave a lot of players out for one reason or another. It certainly wasn’t disrespecting the tournament.
“The lads who came in did us proud and it was a really spirited effort.
“We said before the game that everyone had to do their jobs and they would also have to go above and beyond the call of duty. They had to give that bit extra and the lads really stepped up to the plate.”
Rodney, who scored the decisive penalty, had missed the last month with an ankle injury but came off the bench after eight minutes for the injured Ross Hannah.
Parkinson added: “I didn’t really want to put Nialle on the bench because he hasn’t had any football. He’s missed all the time I’ve been here.
“To put him on and last as long as he did, I thought I might have to sub the sub again. But for him to then step up and win us the penalty shoot-out deserves enormous credit.
“That’s got his Bradford City career up and running and I’m delighted for him.”
Parkinson was not happy with Peter Clarke’s early challenge on Hannah that left the striker with a severely swollen knee. The Terriers skipper was booked but the City chief felt it deserved more.
He said: “If that had been 20 minutes in, it might have been a red card. Ross has got a facial injury as well as his knee from that challenge.
“I feel for Ross because I like him a lot. I think he’s going to be a good player for us and I was really looking forward to watching his performance.”
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