Mark Trueman was pleased with a “committed” display from the Bantams - after they fought to a 1-1 draw at Crawley Town.
City took the lead after 11 minutes at The People’s Pension Stadium, though were made to settle for a point after a Harry Pritchard own goal before half-time.
The Bantams’ caretaker boss was pleased with the desire and commitment on show, however, as his side battled to their first point since November 14.
Trueman said: “I asked for the players to have that commitment, desire and fight - and we showed that.
“Crawley did not have a shot on target, so that just shows that we were putting our body on the line to stop their chances.
“I have said it recently, but we do have a willing group and there are lads who have that dogged side to them. Players like Paudie and Anthony O’Connor and Levi Sutton will put their bodies on the line.
“Me and Conor (Sellars) said when we first came in that we needed to have a little bit more structure behind the ball. We decided to mark in the space and try to prevent chances more centrally, which I thought we did well.
“Defensively, I thought we were solid and showed our determined side. We covered each other and recovered and pressed well.”
Given an encouraging performance, Trueman regarded his side unlucky to have not left West Sussex with all three points, after a spell in the second period where opportunities were missed.
He was pleased with the way City kept to their gameplan, but believes his side could have been more clinical in the final third.
“We stuck to the game plan, which was pleasing, and kept a good team to not having any shots on target.
“We had to plan and prepare the team as well as we could, to play against different formations and make sure we had that structure behind the ball.
“We were happy with the second-half performance and how we moved and controlled the ball.
“We created two or three chances and probably could have gone on to win the game. We caused them problems. What we are looking for more going forward is being more clinical in the final third.”