Bantams too sharp for Blades

Bradford progressed to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-finals with a 6-5 shoot-out win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Chris Mitchell scored the decisive spot-kick after Erik Tonne missed for the Blades and the tie had finished 1-1 in normal time. Matt Phillips put United ahead just before the half hour mark but Bradford skipper Michael Flynn levelled five minutes before half time. The Bantams should have taken a 12th-minute lead but Ross Hannah headed over when unmarked from six yards after being picked out by Jack Compton's cross from the left. Craig Fagan wasted another golden chance for the visitors five minutes later, heading Hannah's centre straight at Steve Simonsen with the goal gaping. Phillips then punished Bradford's profligacy by putting the home side ahead after 27 minutes. The Blackpool loanee cut inside from the left-wing before drilling a right-foot effort in off the left-hand post from 25-yards. Flynn levelled the contest after 40 minutes, rifling a 30-yard effort across Simonsen and into the bottom left-hand corner. Centre-half Luke Oliver tested Simonsen with a header on the hour mark before the United keeper denied Marcel Seip's follow-up effort, while Phillips stung the palms of Jon McLaughlin midway through the second period and the City stopper somehow denied Billy Clarke in the final moments.