Ben Williams saved last year's FA Cup heroes Bradford from first-round embarrassment in a 0-0 draw at Aldershot.
Williams pulled off a stunning save to keep out Jim Stevenson's screamer as the National League side threatened an upset.
League One Bradford dumped out Chelsea and Sunderland on the way to the quarter-finals last season but they were made to sweat it out against a team who are 51 places below them on the football pyramid.
Phil Parkinson's men thought they should have had a penalty when Rory McArdle's header appeared to strike the arm of home skipper Sean McGinty, an apprentice at Charlton under the Bradford boss.
But Bradford struggled to exert their superiority in a drab contest of few chances. Their best came from striker Billy Clarke, making his first start since missing three months with a knee injury.
The Irishman showed good skill to turn Jack Saville in the corner of the penalty area but home goalkeeper Phil Smith matched Williams with an alert tip-over as the shot headed for the top corner.
Bradford huffed and puffed as they played down the slope but rarely looked like opening up a resolute Aldershot who deserve their second crack at Valley Parade.
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