Round One: Notts County 0, City 1

Had Yoann Arquin showed any hint of composure, then City’s great Capital One Cup adventure might never have happened.

Arquin should have settled their first-round trip to Notts County in the final minute of a goalless normal time. Matt Duke parried Lee Hughes’ shot and the rebound sat up invitingly inside the six-yard box – but the striker hit the bar from point-blank range.

Five minutes into extra-time and City had taken full advantage of their reprieve. Kyel Reid and Nahki Wells combined to feed James Hanson, who hit a delightful first-time finish with his left foot into the top corner of Bartosz Bialkowski’s net.

Gary Jones – one of six players making his debut – ran the midfield as the Bantams bridged the gap against a side tipped to go well in League One. Reid was a lively figure out wide to stretch the County defence.

Duke, preferred to Jon McLaughlin in goal, made a fine save from Alan Sheehan, who fired the rebound against a post.

Wells could have made the game safe after Hanson’s strike, before Hughes spurned a late chance to ensure City held on for a memorable victory.

Little did anyone know that a five-month odyssey was about to begin.

Notts County: Bialkowski, Sheehan, Smith (Bencherif 40), Regan, Judge, Mahon (J Hughes 79), Bishop, Labadie (Zoko 61), Williams, L Hughes, Arquin.

City: Duke, Darby, McArdle, Oliver, Meredith, Thompson (Baker 74), Jones, Atkinson, Reid (Doyle 104), Connell (Wells 61), Hanson.