Hull City exited the EFL Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Bradford City at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Despite the Tigers taking the lead through an own goal from Ozan Tufan’s thunderous strike, Andy Cook’s five minute brace saw the Bantams progress to the next round.
Shota Arveladze made seven changes to the starting XI that faced Preston North End last time out. David Robson made his Hull City debut in goal, while Callum Elder, Andy Cannon, Sean McLoughlin, Mallik Wilks, Randell Williams and Vaughn Covil were the other changes.
There were hardly any chances to report within the opening 10 minutes, with Hull City having a weak penalty appeal waved away before the Tigers defended a succession of Bradford City corners, all taken by captain Richie Smallwood.
The first real chance came through Wilks playing a one-two with Williams to create a shooting opportunity, but his deflected drive was cleared away by Matty Platt. Ozan Tufan’s free-kick delivery was then gathered by Harry Lewis.
The Tigers took the lead on 24 minutes. Tufan’s first-time curling strike was pushed onto the bar by Lewis, but the rebound bounced off the goalkeeper’s back to find the net.
In the other goal, Robson held Alex Gilliead’s finessed effort before Jake Young saw his later shot deflect wide.
Bradford equalised the scoring on the 39th minute as Brad Halliday picked out the run of Andy Cook, who rose highest to guide his header into the far corner. Minutes later and Robson had to be alert to dive down to his right-hand save to deny Harry Chapman.
Two minutes before half-time Bradford took the lead as a well worked corner routine saw Cook place his low shot into the bottom corner through a crowd of bodies.
Arveladze made a triple substitution at half-time with Lewie Coyle, Tobias Figueiredo and Regan Slater all stepping onto the pitch. Allahyar Sayyadmanesh had the first opportunity of the second half, but his curling effort was blocked by Platt.
Past the hour mark, Bradford had penalty appeals waved away as Lee Angol’s drilled attempt was blocked before Chapman somehow fired his one-on-one effort wide of the target.
The Tigers hit the post as McLoughlin met Elder’s corner delivery, with the defender’s volley striking the bottom of the right-hand woodwork. Robson was then called into action to hold Scott Banks’ finessed finish.
In injury time, both Figueiredo and Óscar Estupiñán fired chances off-target as the Tigers exited the EFL Cup.
Bradford City (4-2-3-1): Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Crichlow, Ridehalgh; Smallwood (C), Gilliead (East 75’); Banks, Chapman (Sutton 75’), Young (Angol 60’); Cook (Oliver 86’).
Subs not used: Doyle, Songo’o, Foulds, Odusina, Hendrie.
Hull City (3-4-1-2): Robson; A. Jones (Figueiredo 46’), McLoughlin, Greaves (C) (Coyle 46’); Williams (Estupiñán 72’), Tufan (Slater 46’), Cannon, Elder; Covil; Wilks, Allahyar (Tetteh 62’).
Subs not used: Lo-Tutala, C. Jones, Jacob, Mills.
Attendance: 5,394 (1,476 Hull City supporters)