CITY 1 ALDERSHOT 1 (City win 4-1 on pens)

RICHARD O’Donnell was the spot-kick hero to save City from FA Cup embarrassment against non-league Aldershot.

Seven weeks and 11 games after Jack Payne’s penalty sunk Wimbledon, City are finally back on the winning trail.

But it was painfully hard work to finally shake off the National League side.

In wet and wild weather not too dissimilar to their original FA Cup meeting 10 days earlier, the Bantams squeaked past the Hampshire side to book a quick return to Peterborough in the second round a week on Saturday.

In a season that many would love to consign to room 101, it was an 101st-minute intervention from visiting defender George Fowler to turn home Kai Bruenker’s cross that gave City the lead.

But Aldershot hit straight back through Luke Howell to force a penalty finale.

O’Donnell stepped up by saving Aldershot’s opening two efforts from Matt McClure and Gabriel Osho and City slickly got the job done 4-1 from the spot.

Hopkin had fielded a strong side as promised as he looks for some continuity after so much chopping and changing. The two changes saw Jim O’Brien back in midfield to give Hope Akpan a breather and Danny Devine once again on right-back duty for the ineligible Paul Caddis.

City had bossed the majority of the first game in the appalling conditions and tried to carry on where they left off by penning Aldershot in their own half.

The first sight of goal on 15 minutes almost brought a breakthrough. Devine won a corner and from Payne’s kick, Eoin Doyle stole in front of his marker – but his flick header was cleared off the line by left back Lewis Kinsella.

Doyle, hunting only his second goal from open play since joining City, then got his head on Jim O’Brien’s cross but lacked the power to worry Will Mannion.

Aldershot had been on the defensive for the first 25 minutes but broke out of the shackles for Jacob Berkeley-Agyepang to nod over City’s bar.

It was hardly edge-of-the-seat stuff for those who had braved the wintry weather. The roles were reversed from last Saturday as the home side found themselves up against a wall of defiance as Peterborough had done.

After that early scare, Aldershot had grown into the game and the lack of atmosphere as the rain continued to teem down reflected the stalemate nature of the contest. There was no hint of a City goal.

Hopkin switched formation for the restart as Devine slotted into midfield and McGowan moved wide in a flat back four.

City finally had the ball in the net on 51 minutes but Doyle was flagged offside as he tapped home Lewis O’Brien’s centre.

Then Adam Chicksen whipped in a teasing cross that was half-cleared to Ryan McGowan, who blazed high into the deserted Kop.

Payne tried to lift things with two shots at Mannion in as many minutes on the hour before Hopkin threw Bruenker into the mix in an attempt to rough up Aldershot.

Doyle again threatened when Jim O’Brien’s shot squirted into his path.

But defender Dominic Bernard threw himself in the way to deflect his effort inches wide.

City looked to Payne and Lewis O’Brien to crack open the stubborn resistance with their quick feet but Aldershot continued to mass bodies in front of goal as the frustration built.

They weren’t afraid to stop Payne by foul means as well as fair – with three yellow cards for dragging him down.

Aldershot’s hard work was evident as Bernard went down with cramp going into the final 15 minutes.

Payne seemed to be on a one-man crusade and fashioned another chance.

But again Mannion was safely behind it.

The City player unsuccessfully claimed a push in the back as the game headed into the extra 30 minutes.

Extra-time began with another home “goal” denied for offside. Sub George Miller was the culprit as his shot was parried before the luckless Doyle tucked in the rebound.

City finally got that elusive break towards the end of the first period. Bruenker was the provider with a powerful run and cross which Fowler, Aldershot’s scorer in the opening game, diverted into his own net.

But Aldershot weren’t finished and pegged it back at the start of the second period.

Howell, who had come on in the added 30 minutes, cashed in on a mistake from Devine and slotted low past Richard O’Donnell.

Lewis O’Brien almost restored City’s lead just before penalties but Mannion tipped over his angled blast.

PLAYER RATINGS

CITY: O’Donnell 8, Devine 5, McGowan 6 (Bruenker 65min), O’Connor 6, Knight-Percival 6, Chicksen 6 (Wood 82min), J O’Brien 6, L O’Brien 8, Payne 7, Ball 5 (Miller 78min), Doyle 6. Subs (not used): Isherwood, Gibson, Wright, Wilson.

ALDERSHOT: Mannion 7, Bernard 7 (McCoy 82min), Osho 7, Fowler 7, Kinsella 7, Gallagher 6 (Howell 94min), Booty 6, Lelan 6, McDonnell 6, Berkeley-Agyepong 7 (Barrett 58min, 6), Fenelon 5 (McClure 54min, 6). Subs (not used): Wanadio, Cole.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Richard O’Donnell – two huge penalty saves to spare City’s blushes.

CROWD: 2,248