Mark Hughes was impressed after a determined Bantams side drew 1-1 with promotion-chasing Tranmere Rovers, despite being a man down for the majority of the clash.
Jamie Walker’s early goal put the hosts in the driving seat, but two yellow cards in quick succession for Elliot Watt gave Rovers a man advantage.
Hughes insisted he was proud of his side, despite Callum McManaman’s late sucker punch.
He said: “I think it is a positive sign that you could not tell who had gone down to ten men.
“We were still creating good stuff at moments and could have extended our lead at points. Even when we conceded, we still had the best chances.
“Huge credit to the players. It was a big effort and everyone had to put the maximum shift in today. If they had not have, we would have gone under sooner.
“I am really proud of everything they did today.”
Hughes felt the man reduction came to City's detriment, citing the Bantams' performance as a platform to build on.
The Welshman used the high-flying opponents as a measuring stick and argued that today, his side were more than a match for them.
He added: “If we had kept everyone on the pitch, we would have won the game comfortably, and that is up against a team chasing promotion.
“We matched ourselves up against a side that is up there and we looked better than them.
“Because of the work the guys have done and the way they have been able to take information on so quickly, we will get better next year.”
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