Stuart McCall was disheartened by a defeat he did not feel his side deserved - after they fell 2-1 at home to second-placed Cheltenham Town.
The Bantams took the lead through Clayton Donaldson, though were pegged back by Michael Duff’s men - who snatched a winner with 14 minutes remaining.
McCall confessed the result was a “cruel” one, and one he felt did not reflect the worth ethic from his side.
The Bantams boss said: “It was a cruel game. I do not think we could have got any more out of the players.
“When we were fresh and energetic, we were very good. The lads gave everything against a side that probably should have gone up last season, and I do not think their efforts deserved that result.
“It is really harsh to concede with a deflected goal which would have probably gone into Richard O’Donnell’s hands had it not have deflected over him - just before half-time.
“And then with a long throw where - with the amount of long throws they put in which we dealt with really well - unfortunately their lad got just in front of Kian Scales and headed it into the corner.
“In terms of quality, sometimes maybe we made the wrong decisions, but they have all ran their legs into the ground.”
McCall also rued City’s luck in an encounter where he was forced into making another three changes to his starting 11 through injury.
The former Scotland midfielder will however distance himself from excuses, and insists his side must battle on through challenging times.
He added: “There were seven players missing through injury, so when we get a few more back, it will help us - even if they come off the bench and strengthen us.
“I really do not think we could have got any more out of the players. I thought they gave everything they had.
“I am not saying we were brilliant, but for commitment against a side who are up there, I am proud of the effort. It is a tough one to take.
“A point would have been a decent result tonight against a really good side who are on a good run of form, as opposed to us who are not.
“We take it on the chin. There is not a lot else we can do. We do take pride in the lads’ effort.”
McCall and his side return to action at the Utilita Energy Stadium with a 3.00pm visit of Carlisle United this Saturday (December 5).