Falmouth Town progressed to the next round of the FA Vase with a 2-1 win over Bradford Town, despite having ten men for over half an hour.

First-half goals from Jack Bray-Evans and Luke Brabyn were enough to see Town through.

Bradford hit back with a second-half reply from Mark Wall which was quickly followed by a second yellow card for Falmouth's Kirk Davies.

Town showed amazing character to hold on to their victory, with goalkeeper Ryan Barnes making a number of saves, including a penalty stop.

Town showed no sign of nerves in the early stages as they flew out of the blocks by taking the lead in the opening minute.

David Broglino Falmouth’s set-piece specialist delivered a wicked ball into the area where Jack Bray-Evans managed to wriggle free of his man to head the ball into the top corner at the near post.

Town had a half-chance to extend their lead in the tenth minute when Tim Nixon had a chance on the right. The winger was played in by Luke Barner and following a good advantage from the referee the winger hit his shot first time but it sailed narrowly over the bar.

As perhaps expected the away side grew into the game, winger Jake Brown cut in and fizzed a shot just over the bar and into the Falmouth fans in the 13th minute.

After 20 minutes Ryan Barnes made a sublime save for Town to keep them in the lead. Falmouth failed to clear a cross and a knockdown fell to Charlie Walton but his effort was well smothered by the goalkeeper.

Rob Hobbs ought to have done better for the away side with a close-range header but his effort went across the goal rather than at it, not troubling Barnes.

Falmouth were throwing bodies on the line and defending resolutely against the onslaught of Bradford efforts, the next to have a go at breaking Fal down was Harvey Baker but the midfielder dragged a shot inches wide from the edge of the area.

Slightly against the run of play Falmouth were awarded a penalty in the 41st minute.

Brabyn attacked the area and held the ball up. After looking like the chance had gone he skilfully flicked the ball through to Barner who had the composure to take the ball around the keeper.

But as he did so the Bradford number one Jonny Hill impeded the forward leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

The travelling fans did their best to distract Brabyn but their efforts were thwarted as the striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, putting his shot into the top right corner.

Town started the second half the same fashion they finished the first and had the opportunity to make it three in the 47th minute.

Brabyn was played in behind but he opted to try and go around the keeper in a one v one situation.

The keeper stood tall and denied the striker, a miss that proved costly as minutes later Bradford were back in the game.

Wall scored a rebound close range after a shot had been parried by goalkeeper Barnes in the 51st minute. A melee followed afterwards as both teams saw players go into the book.

Despite being pegged back Falmouth and Brabyn again had a big chance to grab a third. Barner and Nixon were involved in the build-up which eventually saw Kirk Davies pick out Brabyn at the back post. But the striker's header was into the ground which instantly took the power out of the effort in the 55th minute.

The turning point in the game happened a minute later when Falmouth right-back Davies was shown a second yellow card following a late tackle in front of the dugouts.

This would test Falmouth’s character as they consequently had to battle 35 minutes plus with ten men.

Within minutes it looked like Bradford would level the scores as the referee pointed to the spot for the second time of the game after Ward was judged to have brought down his man.

Brown confidently stepped up but saw his effort fantastically saved by the outstretched arm of Barnes in the 62nd minute.

The shot-stopper was at it again in the 66th minute when he showed sharp reflexes to deny Hobbs at the near post.

Falmouth were defensively solid and opted to catch Bradford on the counter. A quick free-kick saw Barner through on goal but the striker's effort was well saved in the 74th minute.

Barner was denied again in the 78th minute after he was picked out by a low cross from Alex Wharton. Barner prodded the effort goalward but was denied by the feet of Hill.

Falmouth made some outstanding blocks to protect their lead, both Tom Annear and Ward made vital last-ditch clearances in dying minutes as the chants of the F Troop spurred on the home side.

Despite the continuous pressure, Falmouth held on to seal a vital cup win which gets them into the next round. The scenes at full time were memorable as the players took in the rapturous applause from the home side in the Packet End.

Falmouth's next game is another cup clash, this time in the Cornwall Senior Cup against Bodmin Town on Saturday, November 6.

Packet man of the match: Ryan Barnes

Falmouth Town:

Ryan Barnes, Kirk Davies, Tom Annear, Andreas Calleja-Stayne, Toby Clark, James Ward, Jack Bray-Evans, David Broglino, Luke Brabyn, Luke Barner, Tim Nixon

Subs: Scott Kellow, Alex Wharton, Olly Moody James Miller.

Bradford Town

Jonny Hill, Rich Dawley, Rob Hobbs, Aaron Witchell, Harry Rutty, Ross Lye, Harvey Baker, Mark Wall, Charlie Walton, Tyson Pollard, Jake Brown

Subs: Ethan Mitchell, Brandan Sawyer, Jamie Lyons, Kurt Hammonds, Ed Plackett