DAVID Hopkin admitted to a feeling of relief as City got through to the FA Cup second round on penalties.

The Bantams needed a shoot-out to finally see off non-league Aldershot after the Valley Parade replay ended 1-1 after extra-time.

But Richard O’Donnell saved the first two spot-kicks he faced as City rattled off four of their own to earn an away tie with Peterborough.

Hopkin said: “You’ve got to give great credit to Aldershot, who made it very difficult for us. I am relieved.

“We scored two goals and I thought both were onside. But then we get one and should see the game out – but switch off again.

“Penalties is a lottery but I went into the Aldershot dressing room afterwards to wish them all the best. I thought they were different class.

“When teams sit in like that, it is difficult. We did it at Peterborough on Saturday. I thought Aldershot defended very well.

“We were probably a wee bit lucky but we’re still in the cup and it’s good to get a win.”

The victory was City’s first win of any kind in 11 games – a spell of seven weeks since they beat Wimbledon.

Hopkin added: “It feels good because it’s been a long time. The mentality is changing and I thought we worked really hard – young Lewis O’Brien was again the best player on the park.

“It’s hard when you’ve got a team camped in their own half. We probably had most of the ball but couldn’t do anything with it.

“But I thought we scored two perfectly good goals and if they’d have stood, it would have made the game easier.

“The biggest thing is getting that win. It doesn’t matter about the opposition.

“All the penalties were different class and obviously Richard pulling off the first two saves made it a wee bit easier for us.

“Anybody in a cup situation knows that sometimes performances are not great but you go through and carry a bit of luck.”