Martin Scott's side had opened their account in the competition with a 5-0 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday in the first of three group games.

On a crisp afternoon in West Yorkshire they lined up with a young side, Seb Hines and Jonathan Grounds in defence providing much of the experience on show against an older City team. 

Richard Smallwood and Josh Walker were busy in central midfield, with Joe Bennett and James Gary on the left and right wings respectively always looking to get at their full-backs.

Boro went close on 18 minutes after a tricky Gary Martin run won a free-kick 28 yards from goal.

The resulting strike was hit by Walker but his effort fizzed by the right-hand post with goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin stranded.

Bennett, pictured above in earlier action, and Smallwood both went inches wide from the edge of the area within a matter of minutes as the home side were put under increasing pressure.

Bennett again who went even closes than his earlier effort after a strong run from Shaun Saiko created a chance at the edge of the area.

Instead of paying in Smallwood to the left, Bennett arced for goal and for a moment looked as if he'd given Boro the lead.

The Bantams were able to create a good chance themselves five minutes before the break but a last-ditch John Johnson challenge relived the danger for Boro.

As an extra minute of added time was indicated, Jonathan Grounds went on a mazy run forward which culminated in the Thornaby-born left-back hitting a drive form 18 yards which deflected just wide of the upright.

There was still time for Boro to threaten again as Saiko was picked out by Martin and the Canadian midfielder drove into the area and drove the ball across the face of goal from ten yards, with Bennett just millimeters away from converting.

Half-time: Bradford Res 0 Boro Res 0

The home side created their first chance of the second half after Willy Topp found Rory Boulding unmarked ten yards from goal but David Knight raced out and produced a strong block.

But the breakthrough came on the hour mark when a rare loose ball from Saiko 30 yards from his own goal failed to find Phil Shead and Leon Osborne made no mistake as he fired across Knight and into the top corner.

Theo Furness was brought into the fray at the expense of Smallwood, who had enjoyed a tidy game in the centre of midfield.

Boro got the just reward for their efforts six minutes from time as Furness was found wide on the right by a superb diagonal ball from Walker.

Furness brought the ball down superbly and hit a shot high across the keeper and in off the post to give Boro a deserved equaliser.

Boro had the bit between their teeth and pressed for another goal.

Bennett was found 25 yards from goals by Weldon, who in turn found Martin, and the striker won a free-kick 20 yards from goal.

Walker cracked the ball low around the wall but McLaughlin was equal to it and saved well.

Boro did their best to take all three points but just couldn't find a cutting edge as the action proved tight in the Bradford danger zone in the final few minutes of the game.

Bradford City: McLaughlin, Bellamy, Heckinbottom, Sharry, Ainge, Bower, Osborne, Nix, Boulding, Topp, Taylforth. Subs: Brown, Convey, Hutton, Lomas, Fogarty.

Boro: Knight, J Johnson, Shead, Hines (Weldon 70), Grounds, Saiko, Gray (Otte 72), Walker, Bennett, Martin, Smallwood (Furness 72). Unused sub: Filler (gk).

Referee: G Eltingham

Conditions: Cold and still

Man of the Match: Josh Walker