Mark Hughes admitted his side was not at its best, as the Bantams left it late to secure a 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon.
The City boss believed his team could have resisted the threat posed by the Dons better, but praised the character of his squad for fighting until the end.
He said: “We are pleased to get something out of the game. We did not play at the level we have been able to produce in recent weeks.
“Credit to Wimbledon, today. They came and asked questions of us and, at times, we needed to deal with those moments better than we did.
“They did not create too many open chances but we needed to keep the ball more and circulate it better.
“We needed to be a better with our tempo and passing. You have to be able to retain the ball and resist anyone who tries to take it off you, but we failed at that today.
“To get something from the game shows the character of the group.
“The guys understand every single game is frighteningly important to us. Regardless of how poorly we played, it is about what we can take from the game.
“We did not play well, but we deserved something from the game. We showed real endeavour.”
Hughes felt the desperation to keep hold of City's unbeaten home record in the league pushed the players, despite the visitors' stubborn defence.
He praised his side's hunger and fight, as Vadaine Oliver's late header secured a point.
“We want to make this place a fortress, and you could see that in the reaction of Wimbledon,” the Bantams boss added.
“They tried to run the clock down and make it hard for us, but found themselves on the back foot. They knew what was going to come, and as soon as Matty Foulds stood that ball up, there was only ever going to be one outcome.
“That goal was brilliant for Vadaine. It is always important for your strikers to get on the scoresheet, but to do that today was a great moment for him.
“We did not win today, but that was great for the fans, to show what he was capable off.
“We are still picking up points along the way. There are lot of games ahead of us, so we have to make sure we take something out of the game.
“We recognised we were not at our best today, but it was fantastic how we fought, and that will be a great lesson for us.”