Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor in inspiring form as Bury punish Bradford with penalties
Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor was the hero as 10-man Bury secured an FA Cup fourth-round spot after beating Bradford 4-2 in a penalty shootout at Valley Parade after no goals were scored in 120 minutes of open play.
After Nathan Cameron was sent off, Bury did superbly to hold off dominant Bradford for more than 50 minutes plus extra time, as a goalless game went into penalties.
Lawlor, already a saviour during the match, then kept out spot-kicks from Steven Davies and Devante Cole to secure Bury a meeting with Championship side Hull in the next round.
In a slow start, Cole's far-post slip had robbed him of a tap-in chance early on, even as Bury's occasional counterattacking yielded a 25-yard shot from Tom Soares after 32 minutes, with Bradford goalkeeper Ben Williams saving low.
However, there was trouble shortly before the break when Cameron was sent off for quick-fire bookings, first for a shove on Luke James before the Shakers captain inexplicably handled the ball deliberately when jumping to meet it.
The visitors were under immense pressure after the restart, while Bradford substitute Josh Morris hit the post after 72 minutes.
Bury came close as a deflected cross from Danny Mayor went just wide, and moving towards extra-time, Steven Davies headed onto the bar for Bradford from a Lee Evans free-kick.
The home side continued to press in extra-time, Davies shooting just wide from distance, as Bury's best chance of the match came when Danny Pugh struck the post with a skillful effort on the turn.
In the end, Davies failed with Bradford's second penalty, and Cole with their fourth, as Jacob Mellis' effort sealed things for Bury.
Source: PA
