CORRY Evans successfully came through his longest game since the serious injury that threatened to wreck his career.

The Northern Ireland international made his first start for City in yesterday’s FA Cup win over Aldershot.

After four appearances off the bench, Evans was one of six changes made by Graham Alexander against the National League side.

And he played 72 minutes in the 3-1 win at Valley Parade that secured City’s place in tonight’s draw for the second round.

It was only the 34-year-old’s second start of the year – the last had been in an international friendly against Andorra in June.

It was also the most time Evans had spent on a pitch since January 14, 2023 for Sunderland against Swansea.

The following week, he suffered the ACL injury early in a game against Middlesbrough that would knock him out of football for 15 months.

Alexander was happy with Evans’ partnership with Richie Smallwood.

"I thought him and Richie dovetailed really well,” said the City boss.

“They have a wealth of experience and it’s about getting the message on. If they can hear my message at half-time and then they take it forward and on to the pitch.

“We didn’t want to throw him in at the deep end so for the last few weeks we’ve been bringing him on as sub.

“He’s been training every day and this was an opportunity to see what he’s got in the tank.

“He started to cramp up a little bit but I’m sure he got through a lot of metres.

“That’s Corry first experience of playing for Bradford at Valley Parade.

“But he’s obviously played for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. I’m sure there was a lot of expectation as well for him and he was the captain.

“He’s a really good, experienced player and a good character.

“It’s good to know we have those options. We have five strikers to choose from, different midfield permutations, Brad (Halliday) coming into the back three.”

Striker Olly Sanderson played his first game for over a monthStriker Olly Sanderson played his first game for over a month (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Vadaine Oliver and Olly Sanderson also got their opportunity as Alexander felt the need to ring the changes.

“We value the whole squad highly.

“I haven’t made too many changes of late and I think it was the right thing to do to bring those lads in and give them the opportunity to stake a claim for a starting position.

“They’ve done that with a really good result.

“I know I’ve got more than 11 players to choose from but some of them needed that physical output because they haven’t had a lot of game time of late.

“I’m delighted we’ve had 17-18 players play in the last two games. They’ll be better for it.”

Cheick Diabate came on as a sub and was shown a late yellow card – his fifth of the season.

But he is not suspended because it was in a different competition.

Jack Shepherd is already ruled out of next week’s trip to Fleetwood with five bookings.

Neill Byrne and Jamie Walker are one away from an automatic ban like Diabate.

“There are two or three near there,” admitted Alexander.

“It’s part of football and we want to be a competitive team so now and then you’re going to get on the wrong side of it.

“It’s just silly ones. I think Jack’s last one was quite a silly booking so he’s going to have to pay the price for that.”