By Ralph Shepherd

Notts County unluckily lost 3-2 on penalties after a spirited 2-2 draw, which saw Craig Westcarr and Delroy Facey score over 90 minutes in a thrilling cup tie.

The Magpies' penalties, taken by Kasper Schmeichel and Facey, were well saved by Simon Eastwood, while Neal Bishop dragged wide his effort.

Schmeichel had originally saved Michael Boulding's spot kick, while Peter Thorne, ex-Magpie Simon Ramsden and James O'Brien all scored.

Craig Westcarr and Matt Ritchie scored Notts' penalties.

146 loyal Notts fans travelled up the M1 on a cold damp Yorkshire night. It was that wet the Bradford mascot, the City Gent, sported a brolly.

McParland shuffled his pack for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round match. Facey was given his first starting appearance of the season, former Bantam Graeme Lee came into the side after his injury layoff and Westcarr operated down the left wing.

The first chance fell to the home side inside three minutes. Michael Flynn struck over the bar from 30-yards after Schmeichel had punched the ball clear.

Moments later, Westcarr headed back a deep Jamie Clapham cross into the path of Karl Hawley, who twisted and turned using clever footwork to get away from his man. The former Preston forward's fierce effort was tipped over by Eastwood.

Notts did take the lead with their next opportunity. The ball was pumped long by Schmeichel where strikers Facey and Hawley flicked on for Westcarr.

The former Kettering man still had a lot to do. He pushed it round the advancing Eastwood and netted with his left foot. It was a tidy finish from a tight angle and a fantastic start for the Magpies. It was Westcarr's second goal of the season.

Bradford nearly claimed an equaliser when Leon Osbourne struck a sweet shot just wide of Schmeichel's near post. Some of the home fans thought it was in as the ball rippled the side netting.

However, the Bantams did score a minute later. A floated ball over the top evaded Lee and allowed former Mansfield Town striker Boulding to creep a left-footed shot under the advancing Schmeichel.

The early stages of the second half saw City dominate. Substitute Luke Sharry nearly made an instant impact when his low drive skidded off the greasy surface, but Notts' Danish 'keeper gathered easily.

Graeme Lee was sent off after collecting his second yellow card in the 66^th minute. He had tackled Boulding from behind.

City nearly took the lead instantly from the resulting free-kick. Schmeichel stretched out a big hand to tip over Boulding's curling shot. The ball was heading into the top right-hand corner.

With ten men Ian McParland decided to make alterations. Daniel Jones moved to centre back, Clapham switched to left back and Matt Ritchie was brought on, leaving Facey as the lone striker.

Notts could have taken the lead with ten minutes to go. Clapham's free-kick found Mike Edwards who towered above the defenders at the back stick. Captain John Thompson outstretched a leg but couldn't connect.

Substitute Ritchie was causing havoc with the City defence. The young loanee countless times jinked around the opposition. He struck twice with his left foot in short succession to keep Eastwood busy. Notts, despite being a man down, were dominating.

That control counted when Notts put a brilliant passing move together. The ball was sprawled out to Westcarr who delivered an inch perfect cross for Facey to flick into the bottom corner. It was a fine finish from the former Bantam and his first of the campaign.

It left his boss dancing down the touchline as the Notts dugout jumped for joy. The County faithful sang out: "We've only got ten men."

City equalised with the clock ticking away when O'Brien swung in a corner that Schmeichel failed to claim. This left Chris Brandon to head down through a number of players into the net.

But there was still time for a winner. Edwards found the livewire, Ritchie, in space who went on one of his brilliant runs. After a short one-two with Ricky Ravenhill, he cannoned an effort against the underside of the bar from 30-yards out. It was a wonderful strike that deserved to win any cup tie.

The match went to penalties and lady luck shone on Bradford tonight, sending hoards of home supporters racing onto the pitch.

Notts County: Kasper Schmeichel, John Thompson, Mike Edwards, Graeme Lee, Danny Jones, Craig Westcarr, Ricky Ravenhill, Neal Bishop, Jamie Clapham, Karl Hawley (Ritchie 69), Delroy Facey.

Substitutes: Kevin Pilkington, Matt Ritchie, Matthew Hamshaw, Stephen Hunt, Luke Rodgers.

Scorers: Westcarr (10) Facey (85)

Yellow Cards: Lee (13, 66) Edwards (28) Schmeichel (90)

Red Card: Lee (66)

Bradford: Simon Eastwood, Simon Ramsden, Luke O'Brien, Michael Flynn (Sharry 61), Matthew Clarke, Chris Brandon, Michael Boulding, Jonathan Batesman, James O'Brien, Leon Osbourne, Scott Neilson (Thorne 73).

Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Zesh Rehman, Peter Thorne, Luke Sharry, Louis Horne.

Scorers: Boulding (20) Brandon (90)

Yellow Cards: Brandon (39) Batesman (82)