THERE was no 96th-minute miracle; no joyous pitch invasions holding up play and Graham Alexander certainly wasn’t chaired off at the end.
But some things don’t change. Antoni Sarcevic scored – and the Bantams struck again right at the end of added time.
It was a low-key return to the scene of that magical May afternoon – but still felt great to be back.
City stepped out at Valley Parade for the first time since the Fleetwood fairytale for the one home friendly ahead of the big kick-off.
And the fans will have enjoyed what they witnessed in an encounter that had a feisty edge you don’t normally get at this stage.
The stadium had been spruced up with the new seats offering an impressive backdrop from the Kop and there was a fresh look about the team.
Sam Walker was back in goal after sitting out the Austria friendly behind a back three of Neill Byrne, Joe Wright and Curtis Tilt. Josh Neufville and Ibou Touray started at wing-back with Tommy Leigh continuing in central midfield alongside Max Power, who wore the captain’s armband.
Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon supported Stephen Humphrys in the front three.
Injured duo Ciaran Kelly and Tyreik Wright were absent but Paul Huntington was named on a lengthy list of subs. Trialist Jack Hunt was involved again but there was no Tyler Magloire.
Boro suffered an early problem when Alex Bangura, who missed the whole of last season with an Achilles injury, hobbled off. He stretched awkwardly as Josh Neufville turned him inside out in the box.
Stephen Humphrys created space with a drag-back to whip a shot across goal but City had to stay disciplined against Boro’s quick passing. Neufville was a particularly prominent figure in the early stages, nicking the ball from Morgan Whittaker as the striker prepared to let fly.
And when the former Plymouth man did have a crack, Byrne stuck his head in the firing line to block.
Neufville continued to impress at both ends – earning applause from the main stand for a run and cross that was just too high for Humphrys at the back post then tracking back to his own box to sort out another Boro threat.
Max Power wore the captain’s armband again tonight (Image: Thomas Gadd)
Brad Halliday was warmly welcomed when he set off on a warm-up run. But he can’t have failed to notice how well the number seven was doing in his position.
There was a brief concern for City when Walker went down but he was able to resume after treatment – which allowed both sides to stop for an impromptu drinks break.
But it was Boro who suffered a second injury blow when Riley McGree was forced off six minutes before the break.
City then fashioned their best chance as Leigh fed Pointon at the second attempt for a snap-shot that Tom Glover turned away.
Referee James Bell spotted Darragh Lenihan wrestling Wright to the ground from the resulting corner – it looked a bit of a soft call but Sarcevic stepped up to power home the penalty despite the keeper getting a right hand to it.
Alex Pattison replaced Leigh for the second half but it was Boro who started on the front foot with Wright making two important blocks in the goal-mouth and Touray toeing the ball away as Whittaker prepared to pounce.
Byrne then came off worse in a sliding challenge and could not continue, Matt Pennington taking his place. The Irishman headed straight down the tunnel – a second centre-half setback inside a week.
Bobby Pointon was booked for stopping a quick free-kick and tempers began to boil with Aidan Morris and Tilt getting briefly involved.
Will Swan rounded off the scoring with the final kick (Image: Thomas Gadd)
A rush of subs followed just after the hour point with Calum Kavanagh, Will Swan and George Lapslie appearing for City.
Aden Baldwin, slotting into a holding midfield role, and Halliday got their chance in the final 20 minutes.
Boro were asking more questions but City retained a solid shape to ensure Walker was well-protected.
Delano Burgzorg burst clear one-on-one with Wright – but the defender did an excellent job to keep his head and time his lunge to dispossess the Dutchman and earn plenty of appreciation from the crowd.
City went close after Swan picked out Pattison’s run with a glorious pass with the outside of the boot. Sol Brynn, Boro’s change keeper, was alert to the danger and raced out quickly to smother.
But Swan still had the final say with a cool finish from the final kick.
CITY: Walker, Byrne (Pennington 54min), Wright, Tilt, Neufville, Power, Leigh (Pattison 46min), Touray, Sarcevic (Lapslie 63min), Pointon (Swan 63min), Humphrys (Kavanagh 63min).
MIDDLESBROUGH: Glover (Brynn 64min), Van den Berg (McCormick 46min), Lenihan (Ayling 46min), Fry (Finch 63min), Bangura (Borges 10min), Morris (Gilbert 63min), Hackney (Hamilton 63min), Silvera (Barlaser 63min), McGree (Burgzorg 39min), Whittaker (McCabe 63min), Conway (Forss 46min).