Bradford City got the better of local rivals Leeds United in the second round of the League Cup this evening.
The visitors of the Championship were forced to play more than a half with 10 men following the dismissal of Luke Murphy, but that did not prevent them from breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute. However, within four minutes, the home side had taken the lead on a dramatic night at Valley Parade.
The major talking point of the first half surrounded Leeds midfielder Murphy, who was given his second booking of the contest in just the 31st minute for a foul on James Meredith.
With the numerical advantage, Bradford created a handful of openings during the second half, but it appeared that their pressure was going to count for little when eight minutes from time Leeds striker Matt Smith managed to glance David Norris's cross into the far corner of the net.
The Bantams refused to accept their fate, though, and just two minutes later they were level thanks to Billy Knott, who drove his shot into the top corner after Leeds had failed to fully clear a corner.
Then, just as extra time looked inevitable, James Hanson rose highest inside the Leeds area to nod the ball between the legs of visiting goalkeeper Stuart Taylor and into the net.
A large number of stoppages meant that there was nine minutes of injury time at the end and in the final 60 seconds Smith had a good chance to make it 2-2, but he headed over from six yards out and with it went Leeds's participation in this season's League Cup.
Liam Apicella
