Dean Windass believes City can conquer their mental demons in the FA Cup.

Colin Todd attacked the attitude of his side after Wednesday's LDV Vans Trophy loss against Accrington which extended the club's shocking record in cup football.

City have now lost eight cup ties in a row, the last four of them to lower-league teams.

Todd said: "If we were drawn against Manchester United or someone like Bolton then there wouldn't be this complacency. Obviously there is a mental attitude and we get dragged down to the opposition's level, which is wrong.

"But the players are professional people and we should have the experience to handle that situation."

Windass is confident the jinx will be broken in the FA Cup first round next month.

He said: "It's odds on we will be drawn against a lower team again so psychologically we'll have to get our head round it. But it's like when you fall off a bike, you just have to get straight back on.

"The law of averages say it's going to happen eventually and we are going to get a cup win. Then all of a sudden we could go on a little run and everyone will forget all about it."

With the season a quarter of the way through, Todd has been fairly pleased with City's start - apart from the cup ties.

He added: "I refsued to make any pre-season predictions because I didn't have any idea where we would be. I just know we are capable of holding our own providing we are mentally right.

"We are capable of beating some of the top sides as we've proved already against the likes of Hull and Bristol City."