Bradford City, featuring Kenyan international Clarke Oduor, exited the Carabao Cup at the first-round stage following a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town on Tuesday night.

Oduor played the entire 120 minutes in midfield, contributing an assist that helped force the match into extra time.

Clarke Oduor goal

He was also the first to score for Bradford in the shootout.

City fell behind in the first half, but a second-half equalizer from substitute Andy Cook sent the match to penalties, where Graham Alexander’s side lost by the narrowest of margins.

The first decent chance of the match fell to Bradford when Jack Shepherd was wrestled off the ball, allowing Grimsby to attack down City’s left. Despite Lewis Richards defending well, the ball reached Jordan Davies at the penalty spot, but City goalkeeper Sam Walker made a quick reaction save to deny the midfielder before Aden Baldwin could clear the danger.

Bradford began to apply pressure, creating a good opportunity through Brad Halliday. A cross from the left found Jamie Walker, who maneuvered in the penalty box before setting up Halliday. He unleashed a powerful near-post shot, but it was saved by the strong hands of Grimsby’s goalkeeper, Jake Eastwood.

City earned a corner, and another chance to break the deadlock arose when Shepherd was fouled in the box, earning City a penalty. Richie Smallwood stepped up to take the spot-kick but blasted his effort off the crossbar and over.

City’s misfortune continued in the 36th minute when Grimsby capitalized on the penalty miss. Donavan Wilson received a cross down City’s left, evading the visiting defenders to slot past Walker and give Grimsby the lead.

Bradford entered the break trailing 1-0 but came out for the second half with renewed energy. However, they were nearly caught out by a quick counterattack from David Artell’s men, who came inches away from doubling their lead.

Graham Alexander’s side responded with what was arguably their best chance of the match. Andy Cook’s header from a corner was saved off the line by Grimsby’s scrambling goalkeeper, Eastwood. Cook later laid off the ball for Jamie Walker, who curled an effort from just outside the penalty area, but Eastwood was equal to the task once again.

Clarke Oduor’s assist

City continued to press, and with less than 15 minutes to go, they were rewarded with an equalizer. A fine bit of play saw Clarke Oduor teed up by Bobby Pointon, and although his shot was saved by Eastwood, Cook latched onto the rebound to score his first goal of the season.

With the score level heading into the final ten minutes, both teams pushed for a winner, but neither could convert their chances, leading to a penalty shootout.

The shootout was high-quality, with City gaining an early advantage when Smallwood converted their first penalty.

Walker then saved a spot-kick from Kieran Green, but Bradford’s Brad Halliday missed his attempt. After 15 consecutive successful penalties were converted, Grimsby’s Eastwood emerged as the hero, saving Neill Byrne’s shot and allowing George McEachran to win the shootout 9-8, sending Grimsby through to the second round.