MARK Hughes compared his first play-off game to some of his European glory nights.

And he wants City to capitalise on this “special” moment by making it to Wembley.

Hughes relished the atmosphere in Sunday’s semi-final first leg triumph over Carlisle.

The Bantams chief admitted the “crackle” in the air reminded him of playing in evening games in European competitions with Manchester United.

Now he is determined to build on the strengthening link between the pitch and the stands by clinching the tie and going on to secure promotion.

Hughes said: “I enjoyed it up to a point and the atmosphere and I felt that crackle.

“I used to sense it in European nights when I used to play under the floodlights and would enjoy those nights.

"I see a real connection with the club and team (from the fans) in what we are trying to do.

“Certainly for me, I sense that and it's huge for me. It's a very special thing we have got going at the moment and we have got to get that going.

“If we can make that final step, it'd be fantastic and give the prize to the fans that we started this journey to try and achieve.”

Hughes praised the noise of the City fans in the 20,575 Valley Parade audience - a new record for the play-off semi-finals in the fourth tier.

"The crowd were fabulous, what an advert for League Two football with huge numbers,” he added.

“Credit to Carlisle, they brought huge numbers as well. But they were drowned out totally by our fans and there was a real atmosphere and crackle right through the stadium throughout the night.”

Carlisle will have on-loan Crystal Palace forward John-Kymani Gordon back from suspension for the second leg.

Hughes is braced for another close tussle in Cumbria on Saturday as City look to protect their one-goal advantage.

He added: “It’s only halfway, it’s the old cliched and we have not done the job yet.

“I think everyone will have enjoyed (the first game) and the result is the important thing and that's what we take to Carlisle.

-"It was an evenly-matched game and we all thought that was going to be the case. The league games would suggest that and those encounters were very close.

“In fairness, I thought we were excellent in the first half and really took the game to them. We were on the front foot, got it in good areas and got it out wide and caused them problems.”