We just need to add that clinical touch

City boss Stuart McCall is about to start his second season in charge and despite losing he was happy with the way his side played. "I was a bit wary before the game because we were missing our three fittest lads, Chris Brandon, Kyle Nix and Joe Colbeck. I thought they might trouble us a bit," he said.

"But although it is disappointing to lose to a late goal, I'm really pleased with the performance. If that was a League Two game and we were at home then our keeper has had far too much to do, and if Robbie Blake keeps himself in good nick then for me, he could still play in the Premier League.

"Yes, Burnley had a lot of chances but we created some as well. Their keeper made a couple of good saves and Paul McLaren had one cleared off the line. So if we can create chances against their first choice back four then that's very pleasing.

"Last year we played a 4-5-1 against them because it was my first look at it and I didn't want us to get beat. This time we had a go with 4-4-2 and I thought we gave them a very good game."

It was those chances we created that pleased Owen Coyle. He said: "It was a hard fought game and I was pleased because I felt we passed the ball well. All credit to Bradford because they posed a threat at times throughout the game, but we created some real scoring chances tonight and I thought their keeper was outstanding.

"We just need to add that clinical touch because there may be games when you only get one or two chances. Having said that it was very pleasing overall and our fitness levels looked very strong in the second half, culminating in us scoring a late winning goal.

"Results count for nothing, but winning is a nice habit to have and the players have shown they are willing to go right to the end in games and that is pleasing."