IAN Lawlor was Bury's saviour as they defied all the odds to knock Bradford out of the FA Cup and set up a fourth round tie at home to Hull City.

The Shakers played majority of the game with ten-men after skipper Nathan Cameron was dismissed five minutes before half-time after making two uncharacteristic errors which saw him pick up two yellow cards in three minutes.

Substitutes Josh Morris and Steven Davies both hit the woodwork as the host's dominated the second half but the Shakers clung on for extra time.

Danny Pugh hit the post for the visitors in extra time but they were under the cosh for the majority.

The game went to penalties where Lawlor saved twice as his side ran out 4-2 winners.

The original fixture could have been settled at Gigg Lane had Bradford not missed an array of opportunities, and the hosts started the night in similar fashion with Christopher Routis shooting straight at Ian Lawlor following Luke James' glancing header from a Tony McMahon corner on the 12th minute.

A minute later Devante Cole, son of former Manchester United striker Andy Cole, wasted a great chance to open the scoring when played through on goal by James but he slipped when attempting to pull the trigger.

Both sides were throwing long-balls forwards towards their target men with little avail.

On the 37th minute Bury captain Cameron was booked for a foul on James down the left flank.

And three minutes later the skipper made a horrible judgement of a bouncing ball and raised his hand to stop it going over his head. The 24-year-old centre-back was shown his second yellow which gave his side an ever greater challenge against a team unbeaten in their previous 10 home FA Cup ties.

Substitute Morris came a lick of paint away from giving the Bantams the lead on the 72nd minute but his shot from point-blank range cannoned back off the post.

Bradford cranked up the pressure as the clock ticked towards 90 and could have secured their place in the next round had Steven Davies' header three minutes into time added on not crashed back off the crossbar.

Danny Pugh had a chance to win the game 11 minutes before the end but his volley from Hussey's cross came back off the post.

Lawlor ensured the game went to penalties with two top-class saves at the death to deny Billy Clarke from close range before tipping James Meredith's effort onto the post when it looked destined for the bottom corner.

The Manchester City loanee kept out Davies and Cole's spot kicks to allow Jacob Mellis to step up and tuck the winning penalty away.

 

BURY 4-4-2
IAN LAWLOR 8
TOM SOARES 7
NATHAN CAMERON 4
REECE BROWN 8
CHRIS HUSSEY 7
ANDREW TUTTE 7
DANNY PUGH 7
KELVIN ETUHU 7
DANNY MAYOR 7
LEON CLARKE 7
TOM POPE 7

Subs: Peter Clarke 8 (for Tom Pope 41), Ryan Lowe 6 (for Danny Mayor) Jacob Mellis 6 (for Kelvin Etuhu 120).
Not used: Riley, Sedgewick, Burgess, Miller
Bradford City: (4-4-2): Williams, Darby (c), McArdle, N Clarke, Meredith, McMahon, Routis, Evans, Marshall, James, Cole 
Subs: Morris (for James 66), B. Clarke (for Routis 66), Davies (for Marshall 85).
Not used: Cracknell, Knott, Leigh, Reid.
Referee:  Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).
Attendance:  6,227 (694 visiting).