ACCRINGTON Stanley held their nerve to overcome a wasteful Bradford City and win an epic EFL Cup first round tie 11-10 on penalties

Summer signing Jordan Clark netted the crucial kick late into the night at the Wham Stadium for the 10-man Reds who missed a chance to win it in extra time when John O’Sullivan saw a penalty saved.

It was the visitors who began the brightest with Billy Clarke and Nicky Law both firing straight at debutant goalkeeper Elliot Parish.

For Stanley O’Sullivan looked to provide some spark but his early cross was claimed by goalkeeper Colin Doyle under pressure from Clark.

The only major test of the first period for Doyle was from Chris Eagles who was looking to mark his first Stanley start with a goal but saw his 25 yarder parried down by the keeper.

Parish was to the fore for Stanley, turning a fierce low shot from Jordy Hiwula round the post for a corner before parrying out another effort from the same player.

After the break Clark started to find some space and he was a matter of inches from opening the scoring on the hour mark. A free kick was partially cleared to the winger who chested the ball, turned and volleyed just over.

But the tie turned when Parish received his marching orders in the 74th minute. He raced from his goal to try to beat Tony McMahon to the ball, the Bradford man went down and referee David Webb produced a straight red card.

With a numerical disadvantage Stanley now had to hang on and substitute Aaron Chapman picked up where his predecessor left off. The lively Marshall was causing problems down the left and twice tested the Reds keeper, forcing him to turn a shot onto the post and then fling himself to his right to divert another effort behind.

In four minutes of added time City should have won it when Morais crossed from the right and Marshall had time and space at the far post but leathered it over the bar. That meant an extra 30 minutes.

Then the drama really started.

After sub Shay McCartan fouled outside the box Mark Hughes saw his free kick deflected for a corner and from the set piece the Stanley defender was hauled down in the box.

Romain Vincelot was booked for the foul but Doyle denied O’Sullivan from 12 yards.

O’Sullivan made up for that by scoring in the shootout before Clark sealed a dramatic victory.