MARK Hughes saluted his Carabao Cup heroes after City claimed Hull’s scalp at Valley Parade.

Andy Cook scored twice as the Bantams came from behind to dump the Championship visitors in last night’s first-round clash.

It was their first home win in the competition for eight years – and came after trailing to a Harry Lewis own goal when Ozan Tufan’s shot ricocheted off the bar and went in off the keeper’s back.

Hughes said: “It was a really pleasing performance on a number of levels.

“Obviously, there was great character shown once we went behind. It was a little bit of misfortune for the goal to go in off Harry’s back but the response was almost immediate.

“We bounced back and they were two great goals from Andy Cook.

“We probably gave Hull a bit too much respect early on. But I think the goal was the best thing that happened because we recognised we needed to get on the front foot and start to affect the opposition which we did.”

Cook was given a start after coming off the bench to score at Barrow and followed up with a first-half double in five minutes before half-time.

“Cooky was great, not only the goals but his play,” added Hughes. “He’s a real handful and came back strong in pre-season.

“He’s always scored goals throughout his career and will always cause a problem for defenders with his physicality.”

Scott Banks also started just a day after signing on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace. Hughes was impressed with the Scottish winger’s bright debut.

“It was probably a big call in putting him in from the beginning but I wanted to see how he dealt with it.

“He’s played in big games in pre-season for the first team and he’s been exposed to high-level opposition so I didn’t think it would faze him.

“The surprising thing was that he was getting stronger as the game went on.

“It got to about 60-70 minutes and I was contemplating if I needed to be fair to him and take him out of it. But actually he started to get stronger again and that’s the reason he stayed on.

“Credit to him, he’s clearly a talented boy and I think he will affect games, certainly at League Two level.

“He’s technically very good. He’s only a young man but he understands the game.

“I’m going to look forward to watching him this year.”

Alex Gilliead, playing in a deeper midfield role, and Harry Chapman also caught the manager’s eye as City got Saturday’s stoppage-time sickener out the system with their first win of the season.

Hughes said: “In a strange way, the weekend helped our performance. There was a sense of real determination.

“We were all frustrated after those events and this was an opportunity to put a few things right and get the team at a level we know we are capable of.

“Once we set standards, it’s up to us to maintain them and pass them.”

The second-round draw will take place after tonight’s TV game between Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland.

Cook said: “We showed character not to crumble and turn it around. Hopefully we get a Premier League team in the next round.”