THE camera zoomed in on the City bench and intruded on their FA Cup grief.

There was Billy Knott, who had just been substituted, head lowered and tears forming.

This was no show for the TV; just pure, honest disappointment in its rawest form.

That image summed up the end of the road for the Bantams.

On a wet Monday night in Reading, their magical journey was brought to the harshest of conclusions.

Knott, the jack-in-the-box figure who had caught the imagination of the fans as City bypassed Millwall, Chelsea and Sunderland, had run out of buzz. It was a moment that encapsulated the flatness of the occasion.

But football moves on – this afternoon heralds another game, another start in a season that should not be allowed to fizzle out.

Phil Parkinson has called it an 11-game season to win one of the two play-off spots that are most likely available. Plenty of clubs are eyeing them but City are very much in the hunt.

And who’s to say it won’t happen?

Rewind two years ago and that iconic image of Gary Jones, his eyes moistened, clapping to the fans at Wembley. The captain’s armband clenched in his jaw, he saluted those thousands who had travelled down from West Yorkshire to witness the most one-sided cup final in modern history.

The pain of that drubbing against Swansea was etched on his face.

Three months later, Jones was acknowledging those same fans in the same stadium – while joyously clutching the play-off trophy.

Now think about that snap shot of Knott again and store it away. The next picture may show tears of joy.