Paint Pot Penalty Heartbreak For Hartlepool

Hartlepool United crashed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the first time of asking after a penalty defeat to Bradford.

Neale Cooper made a quartet of changes for the game with Simon Walton, Evan Horwood, Ritchie Humphreys and new loan signing Charlie Wyke.

It was a quiet first half although Bantams stopper Jon McLaughlin was forced into an early save after Simon Walton's wicked effort.

McLaughlin was in action once again on the half hour mark when to tip Wyke powerful strike round the post before pulling off another save to deny Ryan Noble as the half time whistle approached.

Former Pools midfielder Ritchie Jones started the game for the visitors and made Scott Flinders divert a long range effort over the bar just after the half time break.

Bradford enjoyed a good spell at the start of the second half with James Hanson heading wide of the target after getting himself into a great position.

At the other end a tempting Jonathan Franks ball whizzed through the box but no Pools player was able to send the ball over the line.

Substitute Antony Sweeney had a great chance after the Bradford keeper could only palm the ball away after a shot, but the midfielder's effort was hacked clear of goal.

There was late drama as Ricky Ravenhill's header bounced off the crossbar but with no goals separating the sides after 90 minutes the game headed to penalties.

It was the best start possible for Pools as Thompson blazed the first penalty of the shootout over the bar. However, after Neil Austin converted successfully, the scores were leveled as Jonathan Franks blasted his effort off the crossbar.

Ryan Noble's spot kick then hit the post, before Charlie Wyke converted his effort. After successfully scoring three penalties Scott Flinders gave Pools hope with a save from Andrew Davies but Evan Horwood's strike was then tipped on to the bar to give the Bantams the win.

FT: Hartlepool 0 Bradford 0 (2-3 on penalties) Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Baldwin, Hartley, Holden, Franks, Walton (Sweeney 62), Humphreys, Horwood, Wyke, Noble
Subs not used: McHugh, Collins, James, Poole

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Darby, Ravenhill, Davies, Jones (Doyle 69), Hanson (Wells 69), Thompson, Atkinson, McHugh (Meredith 72), Connell, McArdle
Subs not used: Duke, Hines

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