Mark Trueman attributed City’s 2-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic to his side's inability to defend during key moments of the game.
The Bantams succumbed to defeat on the road after two goals in quick succession and a Paudie O’Connor red card sealed City’s fate.
Caretaker manager Trueman insisted his players did not defend corners and free-kicks well enough during a 10-minute spell in the opening period.
He said: “We did not manage to defend the set-pieces, which cost us in the end.
“We created chances, both teams did, but we did not defend their set-plays well enough.
“We tried to change things in the second half to be a bit more positive, but then we had a man sent off.
“The sending off gave us an even bigger mountain to climb.”
The game went ahead despite the effects of Storm Eunice ringing true throughout the country.
Trueman was full of praise for the near-2,000 Bradfordians who made the trip despite the conditions, shown clearly on the weathered pitch.
He added: “We wanted to give the fans something to go home with, to be happy with, but it just was not our day.
“I feel their frustrations, we had come here to win the game.
“It was a positive week going into it, but it was a disappointing afternoon in total.”