Looking back at Bradford City's recent second-round ties

You have to go back to 2017 for the last time the Bantams got further on the cup trail.

But if you’re looking for an omen ahead of the weekend, Derek Adams was in the opposing dug-out that day as well.

It is four years since City’s last appearance in the second round – a pretty dismal record since that magical run to the quarter-finals a decade ago.

Here is the round-two record over the last 10 years.

2020

OLDHAM (H) 1-2

Oldham celebrate Conor McAleny's long-range equaliser (Image: Thomas Gadd)

It was a joyless afternoon in front of an empty Valley Parade as City were knocked out in one-sided tussle with the Latics.

Played during the season behind closed doors, it would turn out to be one of the last games of Stuart McCall’s third reign – he would be gone after losing to the same opponents a fortnight later.

Clayton Donaldson had put City in front from the penalty after he was fouled by keeper Ian Lawlor.

But Oldham soon levelled with a superb strike from Conor McAleny and then seized control as they created chance after chance.

Richard O’Donnell kept them at bay for a while in his 100th City game – but was beaten from 30 yards as Danny Rowe bludgeoned home. The striker would then make the Valley Parade switch in January for a brief spell.

Sub Gareth Evans missed a good chance late on but City had been second best throughout.

2018

PETERBOROUGH (A) 2-2

Luca Colville slides on his knees after firing City level (Image: Thomas Gadd)

City scored twice in the last six minutes to force an unlikely replay with Posh.

David Hopkin’s side put their League One relegation struggles to one side to mount a superb fightback from 2-0 down.

That never looked on the cards when the home side went in two up at half-time after goals from future England international Ivan Toney and Siriki Dembele.

But Kelvin Mellor’s long-range effort gave City hope late on – and then sub Luca Colville converted Lewis O’Brien’s cross for the equaliser.

PETERBOROUGH (H) 4-4

(aet, lost 3-2 on penalties)

George Miller scrambles home during the eight-goal showdown (Image: Thomas Gadd)

A wild night at Valley Parade had just about everything – except a City victory at the end of it.

The Bantams rattled up 35 shots at goal, 13 of them on target, and scored four times.

But they still came out the wrong side of a penalty shoot-out after a contest full of thrills and spills.

Toney set the tone by sending a free-kick from the halfway line soaring past Ben Wilson in City’s goal.

Toney headed a quickfire second but an error from Posh keeper Aaron O’Malley allowed George Miller to pull one back.

But Peterborough again went into the break two ahead as Marcus Maddison scored with the last kick of the half.

City staged another stirring fightback. Jack Payne set up David Ball for their second and Ball turned provider for Paul Caddis to then level.

The comeback looked complete when George Miller’s scrambled finish from close range put them in front for the first time.

But Toney unpicked the home defence once again to nod his hat-trick.

Extra-time, surprisingly, passed without any further goals. But misses from Karl Henry, Caddis and Payne in the penalties saw Steve Evans’ visitors scramble through.

2017

PLYMOUTH (H) 3-1

Charlie Wyke taps home City's third goal from close range (Image: Thomas Gadd)

City’s last second-round success avenged a home defeat by League One’s bottom side three weeks before.

Jake Jervis blew a big chance for Plymouth before City struck first as Romain Vincelot leapt to convert Tony McMahon’s cross.

Vincelot played a major role in the second goal when his volley was deflected past keeper Luke McCormick via the face of Nathaniel Knight-Percival.

Plymouth pulled one back through Graham Carey – only for City to march straight back up the other end from the kick-off, Charlie Wyke tapping in a third after McCormick fumbled Gilliead’s cross.

Having got one over Derek Adams’ Argyle, Stuart McCall hoped for a big draw. Instead, they got Yeovil away – a fateful turning point in the club’s fortunes.

2015

CHESHAM (h) 4-0

Veteran striker Barry Hayles takes on Stephen Darby (Image: Newsquest)

City kept five FA Cup clean sheets in 2015/2016 – but still made their exit in the third round.

It was a remarkable trivia stat in a run that featured two replays and ended with a penalty defeat to Bury.

But Phil Parkinson’s men, dreaming of emulating the previous season’s incredible journey, needed nothing extra to brush past non-league Chesham.

The part-timers, spearheaded by 43-year-old ex-Premier League striker Barry Hayles, battled gamely and the scoreline was harsh on their efforts.

Kyel Reid broke a two-year scoring duck with the first and James Hanson doubled the lead by the break after a wonderful pass from Lee Evans.

Chesham stuck at it and Ryan Blake went close. But City added some gloss to the result with two more goals in added time from substitutes Gary Liddle and Devante Cole.

2014

DARTFORD (H) 4-1

Mark Yeates takes the plaudits after his second-half goal (Image: Newsquest)

After a first-round scare at neighbours Halifax, City were handed another non-league opponent at Valley Parade.

Strike partnership Jon Stead and Billy Clarke ensured there would be no nervy moments.

On-loan Stead set up Clarke for the first after 10 minutes and the Huddersfield frontman got one himself on the half hour.

Dartford had been watched twice by Parkinson in the build-up.

So there was no danger of any home complacency – and City reinforced their victory with two further goals in the space of a minute through Filipe Morais and Mark Yeates.

The Kent side, followed by 471 away fans, then got their moment to enjoy from Lee Noble’s backheel.

City’s FA Cup special moments would follow at Stamford Bridge and against Sunderland on the way to a first quarter-final appearances in 39 years.