Stuart McCall believed his side was deservedly beaten - following a 3-0 loss to Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium.
Three first-half goals secured the points for Richie Wellens’ men, who ensured the Bantams left Lancashire empty handed.
McCall felt City did not do enough to win the game and insisted the best side came away with the victory.
He said: “The best team won. We were not good enough and are naturally disappointed with the goals we conceded.
“We wanted to work our way into the match and start by taking the game to them, but nothing materialised in a lot of areas. To concede so early on was frustrating.
“We were beaten by the better side and it was a tough one to take. We lacked the desire to score a goal.
“In the second half, we ended up playing for pride. The goal at the end of the second half really killed us off and I thought the scoreline was deserved.”
The Bantams boss has called for his side to bounce back quickly, ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Leyton Orient.
Despite having several players ruled out through injury, McCall knows there are no excuses, and that those selected must do enough to impress and keep their place in the side.
The former Scotland midfielder added: “We should be hurting tonight and over the weekend. I think we may have another few players missing for when we go to Leyton Orient on Tuesday.
“Whoever goes down there on the bus needs to make sure they are determined to come back up the road with something.
“It is a long trip down but whoever is selected needs to make sure they do their absolute best to do well in the game and stay in the team.
“What will make a difference will having some of our better performers back from injury.
“When you are thin on the ground you need players to stake their claim for places. The lads who are coming in need to grab their opportunities and they have another chance to do that on Tuesday.”
Supporters can catch every minute of the Bantams' trip to the Breyer Group Stadium with a £10 iFollow video match pass - by CLICKING HERE.