City 1, Crawley 0

IT'S been a long time coming and the goal won't win any prizes. But Francois Zoko's first in City colours clinched a crucial three points last night – and sent the Bantams back into FA Cup combat with confidence restored.

The result fully vindicated Phil Parkinson's bold gamble to make mass changes as the 'shadow' squad enjoyed their night in the limelight. It wasn't pretty but the ends justified the means.

It turned out to be a managerial masterstroke and freshened limbs elsewhere for the Saturday lunchtime showdown with Reading.

The happiest player to see last night go ahead was not even on the pitch that Mick Doyle and his ground staff had slaved so hard on after a couple of days of wild weather.

Gary Liddle must have been sweating on a possible postponement more than anyone, given the personal ramifications at the weekend. His second game spent on the sidelines now clears him for FA Cup duty.

Parkinson had advertised beforehand that he would be shaking up his side – but nobody could have predicted how much of a shuffle he'd give the pack. Every department saw major change.

In all there were seven different faces from Saturday – with a couple of left-field selections. Like Jason Kennedy at the weekend, two players came in from the deep freeze in midfield.

Chris Routis made his first start since being hooked in the first half at Oldham in October. And Matty Dolan got the nod for his first start of the season – he had not kicked off a league game for City in 11 months.

Dolan took the holding role from Kennedy as City resorted to a diamond, with Routis to his right, Andy Halliday left and Mark Yeates behind the front two.

James Hanson made his expected return for Jon Stead up front and Zoko finally got the chance alongside him.

Hanson held off Lewis Young to force an early save from keeper Lewis Price and Halliday was just off target as City made a positive start. But attention was divided with the sky as heavy rain began to fall.

That did not deter the Bantams, who got their reward with a ninth-minute opener – a goal that Price won't want to relive.

Yeates' left-footed cross from the right swirled in the wind and caught Price completely in no man's land. With the keeper out of the equation, Zoko only had to win the header above Darren Ward to nod into the unguarded net.

It was just the break the Ivorian needed to break his City duck – and no more than the home side deserved.

City maintained the pressure as Hanson just failed to get on the end of a Routis cross and Ward was forced to clear a Yeates looper under his own bar.

The Bantams had to be watchful defensively and Gary MacKenzie, back in for the rested Andrew Davies, nicked the ball away from Izale McLeod in the box.

There was a worrying moment as half-time approached after McLeod was tripped on the edge of the D. But Jordan Pickford was equal to Lee Fowler's curling free-kick and palmed it round the post – the ball then sticking on the heavy surface and not even going out for a corner.

The pitch had its say again at the other end when Hanson found room to line up a drive, with a bobble as he struck it diverting the shot harmlessly nearer the corner flag.

But Parkinson could be well pleased with the efforts of his 'fringe' squad, who were playing with plenty of hunger and drive on the typically testing surface.

Referee Darren Drysdale had history with City – remember the Ian Goodison elbow incident for Tranmere last season – and remained surprisingly lenient as Crawley's foul count began to rise.

He then angered the home crowd right on the break by blowing for half-time just as Zoko prepared to bring the ball down in the box and fire off another shot.

Given the conditions, City could not risk sitting on their advantage and Halliday beat three red shirts before firing over an angled shot.

Zoko, his tail up after the goal, then set off on a powerful run into the box that was halted by Sonny Bradley.

That brought the Kop to life and there was a constant backdrop of noise as City looked for the security of a second goal.

City v Crawley match pictures

Price continued to look like a rabbit in the headlights as back-to-back corners caused panic in the Crawley goal-mouth.

Zoko was close to doubling his tally after Routis' cross fell into his path. The striker beat Price but Ward was in the right spot to bale out his keeper and block in front of the line.

Still the advantage remained slender and nerves started to jangle when Gavin Tomlin thumped wide from 25 yards.

Another Crawley attack was pulled up for a push on Pickford before Stephen Darby's clearance went straight to McLeod, whose effort took enough of a deflection to take it past the far post.

Zoko's fine night was done with 20 minutes to go as Stead took over, Alan Sheehan also replacing the hard-working Routis. Dolan was another to depart to well-earned applause from the fans.

Sheehan cracked a volley over but there was a growing edginess about the crowd – made worse when McLeod glanced a header inches off target from Tomlin's cross.

Stead dallied in the box too long with a possible half-chance but then stretched to shoot over from a Sheehan pass. The striker had an added personal incentive to put one over Crawley – he had been best man at Reds midfielder Fowler's wedding!

The only card he got this time was a yellow one for kicking the ball away as Drysdale showed his officious side. But City negotiated the four extra minutes to claim their first win in four games. Now bring on Reading...

Attendance: 11,683