Crusaders beaten in FA Cup replay

Although Bradford’s late, late, equaliser at Bulpit Lane was rather fortuitous, the visitors had already done enough to earn a second bite at the cherry and the replay was obviously going to be a tough task, especially after a day of torrential rain, which continued throughout the game but,. as it turned out, the pitch was in good condition and stood up to the weather remarkably well.
The result was influenced by an early penalty which led to a goal and the sending off of Rhys Tyler which made our task more difficult than ever, and although we still had a chance until near the end, it was the home side who always looked the likely winners and a second Bradford goal after 83 minutes condemned us to an early exit from the competition.
James Clark had an early shot , but the ball flew well wide and, although we did get the ball in the net, the whistle had already gone and there was no chance of a goal. Bradford ’s attacks looked dangerous and after 20 minutes Rhys Tyler’s tackle was adjudged to have prevented a goal-scoring chance and he was sent off. Although Paul Strudley dived to his left and pulled off a great save from the penalty, Michael Rimmer was on hand to knock in the rebound.
Bradford went close to increasing their lead with a shot which hit the post, but we did get in some good attacks, only to find Jamie Bartlett in unstoppable form in the home goal. We had further setbacks when Matt day was injured and was replaced by Gary Horgan and Nat Jarvis was replaced by Dean Stow, but half-time arrived with no further goals as the rain continued to teem down.
The second half continued in similar vein as we still found it difficult to difficult to open up the home defence and when Neikell Plummer made it 2- 0 there was no way back.
Team;Strudley,Tyler, John, Boardman, Day(Horgan),Rees, Clark, Rusby,Jarvis(Stow),Draycott,,Brown,O’Brien