Three-mendous! Deja vu as Bradford City knock out another Yorkshire side on penalties

The Bantams are becoming past masters of the 12-yard shuffle as Sheffield United followed neighbours Wednesday and Huddersfield through the exit door.

And what a comeback for keeper Jon McLaughlin, who crowned his first outing of the season with THREE superb saves in front of the ecstatic away end.

Chris Mitchell held his nerve to fire the 16th and decisive penalty into the roof of the net but it was the elastic McLaughlin who was the City hero as they celebrated a first win over the Blades in 18 attempts.

The pre-match announcer may have over-egged the night as a “historic first JPT game at the Lane” but the occasion was hugely significant for numbers one and two in the City line-up.

For McLaughlin and the luckless Simon Ramsden, this was their chance to grab Phil Parkinson’s attention after being stuck in the shadows.

Billy Clarke caused an early stir as he cut past Luke O’Brien and nearly fashioned a chance for Chris Porter.

But Ross Hannah, another desperate to catch the gaffer’s eye, missed a glorious opening on 12 minutes. Jack Compton’s cross was spot-on but Hannah’s firm close-range nod flew over the bar.

Hannah then turned provider as City carved the Blades open again. This time it was Craig Fagan coming in at the far post but Steve Simonsen was equal to the point-blank header.

United countered after O’Brien was caught upfield, Elian Parrino supplying Porter for a rasping shot behind.

And the Blades struck the first blow after 27 minutes with a thumping 25-yarder from Matt Phillips, who cut inside Ramsden before hammering his shot beyond McLaughlin.

It was the former Peter Taylor prodigy’s sixth goal in the month he’s been borrowed from Blackpool – some return for those who question the validity of loan players.

As Phillips continued to give O’Brien problems, Porter’s backheel flashed across goal and Luke Oliver came to the rescue with a timely interception in the box.

But just when it seemed United were slipping through the gears, City were back on level terms with a stunning equaliser from Michael Flynn.

The skipper nicked the ball from Ched Evans, took a touch and smashed home an angled left-foot drive that was every bit as sweet as the one he struck at Leeds in August. It was the club’s first goal for five and a half hours after three successive blanks.

Craig Fagan half-volleyed just over as City began the second half with a bang and Compton continued to have the beating of Parrino – to such an extent that the Argentine defender was subbed nine minutes in.

Fagan got taken out by Harry Maguire but City played on and Chris Mitchell teed up Flynn to drive high into the noisy away support. The fans were right to enjoy themselves.

McLaughlin reacted quickly to clear an underhit backpass from Ramsden as Phillips moved in. But City threatened again from a Mitchell corner as first Oliver and then Marcel Seip were denied in the goal-mouth scrum.

Evans showed twinkling toes at the other end to elude Ramsden and Oliver before Seip firmly shut the door. As the Blades upped their hunt for a second, McLaughlin sprawled to save from Phillips and Oliver threw his huge frame in the way of Michael Doyle.

Compton had his best game in a City shirt but appeared to be cramping up and Parkinson shuffled his pack to bring on Jamie Devitt and James Hanson.

The subs soon combined and Devitt, in the dog house at the weekend for his late arrival, fired over the bar.

But as full time approa-ched, the Blades were only a whisker away as Phillips stretched in vain to get a toe on Matt Lowton’s dangerous low cross.

And right on the whistle, Neill Collins knocked down for Clarke, whose point-blank stab was kept out by McLaughlin.

It meant yet another shoot-out and there’s only one winner there ...

Roll on the last eight.

SHEFF UTD: Simonsen 6, Parrino 5 (Lowton 54min, 6), Williams 6, Maguire 6, Collins 6, Doyle 7, McDonald 6, Phillips 8, Evans 5 (Tonne 65min), Clarke 7, Porter 6. Subs (not used): R Flynn, Harriott, Long.

CITY: McLaughlin 9, Ramsden 7, Seip 7, Oliver 7, O’Brien 6, Mitchell 6, Jones 6, Flynn 7, Compton 8 (Hanson 80min), Fagan 6, Hannah 6 (Devitt 68min). Subs (not used): Williams, Wells, Duke.

REFEREE: Mark Haywood (Wakefield)

ATTENDANCE: 5,692