Out of adversity, the big Irishman has drawn commendable strength and is now hoping his big reward will come next month when he is handed an early Yuletide present – in the shape of new City deal.

Conlon, out of contract at the end of December after being offered just a six-month deal in the summer, is desperate to stick around in the claret-and-amber and few members of the Bradford faithful would be begrudge him fresh terms.

The 30-year-old endeared himself to the massed ranks in the City kop for the third successive home league match on Tuesday – nonchalantly netting his seventh of the season from the spot 17 minutes from time to sink Chesterfield 3-2 and seal a marvellous comeback from the promotion-chasing hosts, who jumped up to second in League Two.

It also represented a milestone moment for the much-travelled striker, who reached his century of goals with the cool finish against the Spireites – but, more importantly, nudged himself closer to extending his stint in West Yorkshire.

Conlon told Yorkshire Sport: "I'll be seeing the gaffer in the next week or so to find out what is happening.

"I'm loving it here and there's nowhere else I really want to go.

"Hopefully, it will be good news when I go and see him and we can go and get something sorted out.

"If I did, it would keep a smile on my face for the Christmas period!"

The dramatic late strike was the latest goal-den moment for Conlon, whose wheel of fortune has turned dramatically since early October.

The bustling targetman was jeered by a section on the home support prior to coming on as a late sub' in the 1-1 draw with Luton on October 4, much to the disgust of boss Stuart McCall.

Conlon immediately silenced his critics by scoring City's leveller within 60 seconds and further goals in the thrilling comeback win at Accrington and another "super-sub" strike in the 1-0 success over Bury late last month suddenly cast him in the guise of crowd favourite.