Port Vale:Bradford v Vale report
The Bantams secured a 5-4 sudden death victory after the sides shared an entertaining 2-2 draw in normal time.
Both sides missed two of their first five spot-kicks, including Vale's Louis Dodds and Kris Taylor.
Meanwhile, strikers Marc Richards and Lewis Haldane, skipper Tommy Fraser and Rob Taylor netted theirs.
But with the scores level at 4-4 Adam Yates's crucial miss from 12 yards allowed Steve Williams to hammer home the wining penalty.
Before the shoot-out Vale defender John McCombe hit his second goal of the campaign to hand his side the lead.
But the defender's impressive volley was cancelled out by Flynn's headed goal just after the break before Bradford's James Hanson and Rob Taylor traded goals.
Vale were striving to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games – a feat they haven't achieved since the second half of the 2000-01 season.
If they were looking for a good omen they ended that season by winning this competition for the second time in their history.
Boss Micky Adams warmed up for the clash by signing a two-year extension to his manager's deal which keeps him tied to the club until 2012.
And he carried out his threat to make changes to the starting line-up that drew 1-1 with FA Cup rivals Stevenage Borough at the weekend.
The biggest surprise was his decision to rest top scorer Richards, while loan striker Jamie Guy was handed his first start since arriving from Colchester United in early October.
Nine-goal Richards had been ever-present in 20 matches before last night's clash.
Attackers Dodds and Taylor earned recalls at the expense of Anthony Griffith and loan striker Haldane in Adams's 3-4-3 formation.
Striker, and assistant-boss, Geoff Horsfield (groin) was the only Valiant to miss out through injury.
Sponsor Harlequin Property sponsored all but one of 16 free coaches to ferry a 999-strong away following from Burslem to Valley Parade.
And they witnessed Bradford make the brighter start as striker Michael Boulding twice tried his luck from 20 yards, but twice failed to test Valiants keeper Chris Martin.
As expected the game enjoyed a frantic pace as both sides struggled to retain possession.
Vale, meanwhile, appeared keen to launch the ball into Guy's feet with Rob Taylor and Dodds swarming either side of the striker.
Dodds wasted their first chance with a prodded effort, from 20 yards, which died away from the left-hand post.
A good atmosphere was created by both sets of supporters as Kris Taylor's cross caused havoc before Dodds's drive was snuffed out in Bradford's congested box.
The game was beginning to open up, and in the 14th minute, Bantams defender Steve Williams connected with Flynn's dangerous cross only to miss the target with an eight-yard header.
Moments later, Dodds responded by stepping inside before angling a 12-yard drive the wrong side of the near right-hand post.
On 17 minutes, a sweeping Vale moves ended with Kris Taylor storming down the left.
The wing-back's wicked in-swinging delivery was met by Guy's diving header which sent the ball wide.
In the build up to McCombe's goal Yates won a corner which was taken by Fraser on the right.
Defender Gareth Owen met the corner with a powerful header that keeper Simon Eastwood was forced to beat away.
But the ball was soon fed back to the right flank where Fraser veered a delicious low 27th-minute centre.
With the ball journeying towards the edge of the box McCombe arrived late to fire an unstoppable low 16-yard volley into the right-hand corner
Owen's earlier header came at a cost, though, as the knock he sustained forced him to retreat from the action on 32 minutes when he was replaced by Richards.
Kris Taylor filled in at centre-back while Rob Taylor went to left wing-back.
Another Fraser corner saw Guy misfire with an eight-yard volley on 35 minutes.
Vale had taken control of proceedings in front of a frustrated home support.
But the Bantams came out flying in the second period and levelled from a 49th-minute corner taken by James O'Brien.
Flynn raced onto the ball to glance a cute header into the far right-hand corner from eight yards.
It was Bradford who were now in the ascendancy as they they began to apply more pressure.
Before the hour-mark Bantams substitute Chris Brandon and Kris Taylor traded 20-yarders which both whistled past the post.
But Vale's vulnerability at set-pieces proved costly once again as Bradford went ahead in the 70th minute.
From deep on the left full-back Luke O'Brien drove over a free-kick to the far post where Hanson gleefully headed home.
Vale were in danger of going under but a bit of magic from Rob Taylor got them back on level terms in the 75th minute.
Dodds went on a meandering run across the box and after poking the ball to Taylor the midfielder crashed a stinging drove into the far left-hand corner.
However, Taylor was guilty of missing a sitter soon after when he failed to covert a cross from substitute Lewis Haldane.
Both teams pressed for the winner but neither were unable to unlock the door before referee Graham Salisbury blew up.
With no extra-time on the agenda the game could only be settled by the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Fans can watch Vale's FA Cup first-round replay at Stevenage Borough for free next Tuesday (7.45pm) on the Football Association's official website. In being chosen to have their match streamed live on line Vale will receive £33,500 from the FA.
Comment on this story