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"It's a hard draw but I think it will be just as difficult for them. Everyone left in has got a chance of lifting the cup. We're one of the best and it's a one-off game so anything can happen. I really wanted a home game and instead Carlisle away is the furthest draw. But it doesn't matter - I'll go anywhere to play football.
"They will start favourites of course but the same things were said about Notts County because they were ahead of us. We're underdogs again and long may it continue. I'm sure we'll have a lot of support and we'll go up there to enjoy it - and to win.
"We know penalties can go either way but we'll have that advantage in experience over them having come through twice already. And in Simon Eastwood, we've got a great shot-stopper who has shown that he is up to saving penalties.
"If it does come down to it, I'm sure he would put a doubt in their minds because of his great average. They will be more conscious about where they're going with the penalties or whether they should go for power instead of placement. Anything that makes them think twice has got to be a help for us.
"The Port Vale keeper knew where I was going to put mine because he left early. I felt I wanted to find a big hole to hide in. I couldn't believe it but luckily we came back to win. It's not put me off taking another one, though. If it goes to penalties again then I will still put my hand up straight away."
Carlisle have never faced Bradford City at home in the Football League Trophy, the only game played between the two sides in the competition being a preliminary group 1-1 draw at Valley Parade in October 1995. In those days the first stage was run in three team tables, and after the three games between Doncaster, Bradford and Carlisle all ended 1-1, Rovers and United finished first and second in the table after a comical drawing of lots.
The Blues don't have the greatest home record against the Bantams over the years, with ten wins, six draws and seven defeats in their 23 games against City at Brunton Park. United's best home victory against the Valley Parade outfit coming in late January 1950 in the old Division Three North, the Carlisle goals in a 3-0 win in front of 9,094 spectators being scored by John Billingham (2) and Phil Turner.
These days Bradford travel up to Cumbria sitting in a lowly 14th place in League Two, although they have picked up 16 of their 29 points away from home on the back of just two league defeats in ten games on the road. To get this far in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, City first beat Rochdale 2-1 at Spotland before winning penalty shootouts two home ties in a row, 3-2 against Notts County and 5-4 versus Port Vale following 2-2 draws over the 90 minutes in both matches.
In team news for the Bantams they will be without numerous players this evening due to their lengthening injury list. Firstly centre-half Steve Williams is absent with a hamstring injury, while his defensive partner Zesh Rehman is a big doubt due to his own hamstring problem. Into midfield and Steven O'Leary has been out for four months now after breaking a small bone in his big toe, while first year professional Luke Dean joined FC Halifax Town on loan for a month today.
Meanwhile further up the pitch striking brothers Michael and Rory Boulding are unlikely to be involved in the starting eleven for different reasons. Michael currently sidelined with an ankle injury, while younger sibling Rory seems to be consigned to the substitutes bench this season despite the injury pile-up at Valley Parade.
Another striker missing for the visitors tonight will be the veteran Peter Thorne who has not long returned to training following a hamstring problem. The final Bantams frontman to be absent being winger cum centre-forward Leon Osborne who suffered damaged ankle ligaments during a reserve team game against Grimsby Town in early November.
Staying out on the wing and the on-loan Simon Whaley is unavailable to play as he is cup-tied having played for parent club Norwich City earlier in the competition. The one piece of good news for City boss Stuart McCall being that pacey Jamaican Omar Daley will be in their squad, if not fully match-fit,. 28-year old Daley having played in two reserve games recently after being out for ten months with both cruciate and lateral ligament damage in one of his knees.
The referee for tonight's match is Anthony Bates from Stoke-on-Trent, and he will be assisted down the lines by Darren Handley from Bolton, and Lee Metcalfe from Preston. Meanwhile the fourth official is Stephen Smith from Middleton St. George in County Durham. The set of officials responsible for ensuring that tonight's game kicks off at the earlier time of 7.30pm, while also perhaps later on overseeing a penalty shootout if the scores finish level after 90 minutes.