Jon Brady relishing ‘ultimate test’ as Port Vale set up Sunderland showdown

Port Vale boss Jon Brady is ready for “the ultimate test” against Premier League Sunderland on Sunday after Ben Waine’s extra-time goal dumped Championship Bristol City out of the FA Cup.

The League One strugglers’ first fifth-round appearance in 30 years was sealed after New Zealand-born Waine, whose family hail from Newcastle, scored the only goal after 112 minutes, rounding keeper Joe Lumley and netting from a tight angle.

“It will be the ultimate test but we are looking forward to it,” said Brady, whose side overcame opponents 38 places above them in the EFL to move within 90 minutes of the quarter-finals.

“Our pitch is tough to play on, but it’s tough for us to play on too.

“To get the win at the end made it more dramatic. We could have been up earlier but to get the one we did, it seemed to roll over the line slowly.

“I am pleased for Ben because he worked so hard throughout the night. He had four or five big chances and needed a goal.

“When you look back they had hardly any chances on target. Our structure was good and the boys implemented it well.”

Waine was denied by City keeper Lumley in the first half of normal time and another goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Cameron Pring in extra time.

City, who made eight changes to their previous Championship line-up, managed only a Tomi Horvat free-kick on target.

Manager Gerhard Struber apologised to the 1,600 travelling Robins fans for the team’s surprise exit and appealed for their continued backing as City try to mount an end-of-season play-off challenge.

“I am sorry for the fans,” he said. “Our 12th man was there but we couldn’t celebrate with them.

“At the same time, I think it is at this moment we need our fans the most this season. When something goes wrong and we have a difficult time with results we need the fans close to us.

“We have to stick together. It’s not only a big test for the team but it is for the club in how we bounce back.”

Struber added: “The pitch wasn’t easy to play on and create chances at the highest level.

“But we had enough to go in a different direction so I am disappointed how we dealt with it.”