BILLY KNOTT admits it was extra-special to claim an FA Cup win over Sunderland, but has praised the Black Cats fans for remaining behind to applaud Bradford’s victorious players from the field at the weekend.

Knott made one senior appearance in a Sunderland career that lasted three-and-a-half years following his release from a trainee contract at Chelsea.

The 22-year-old midfielder left Wearside on a free transfer last summer, and Sunday’s game, which saw him produce a masterful midfield display, was his first appearance against his former employers.

Having already seen off Chelsea in the previous round, he admits he had an added incentive to add Sunderland’s name to the list of Bradford’s FA Cup scalps, but while he was determined to prove a point, he was delighted to receive such an appreciative reception from Sunderland’s travelling fans.

“It was nice to win, and it meant a lot, but their fans clapped me off and I really appreciated that because I had a great time there,” said Knott. “I wouldn’t say a bad word about them.

“I went over at the end and clapped the ones that had stayed. It was great to get that reception and I thank them for that.

“I didn’t really get chance to speak to many of their players because I think they were a bit down about their own performance. But Wes Brown said ‘Well done’ to me and ‘Keep going’. That was nice, and Steven Fletcher said the same. They were nice comments.”

Bradford boss Phil Parkinson had urged his players to out-work and out-run their opponents prior to kick-off, and while the home side adopted a feverish tempo from the off, Sunderland’s players appeared to take an eternity to come to terms with the pace and passion of the occasion.

By the time they began to acclimatise they were already a goal behind, and for all that the Valley Parade pitch was undeniably an issue, the quality of Bradford’s football was also superior to that of their Premier League opponents.

“I thought it was a fully-deserved win,” said Knott. “We started brightly and everyone was on it from the word go. Our front three were running until the 90th minute, and that made it easy for me and (Gary) Liddle because we were behind them and they were working really hard.

“Our belief is high at the moment, and I think we can beat anyone at home. With the team and squad we’ve got, we can have a nice cup run this year. Hopefully, it will continue.”

Knott was not the only former Sunderland player to play a prominent role in Sunday’s win as Jon Stead produced an excellent attacking display that was capped with his side’s second goal.

The striker has scored in all five rounds of the FA Cup this season, a stark contrast to his time at Sunderland that featured two goals in 40 games.

“Since he has been here, I don’t think he has had one bad game,” said Knott. “He has been fantastic for us. We want him here, and he is great to have around the camp as well. He’s scored in every round, so hopefully in the next round he can score another one. He is a great player and a great lad.”