Another home defeat by the odd goal has plunged City further into the relegation mire - but the management team of Bryan Robson and Colin Todd say they can still save the club from the drop.

"Bryan and myself believe we can get out of trouble," stressed assistant manager Todd. "We are capable of going to Gillingham next week and getting a win.

"We have 17 games to go and we are probably looking at 47 points for safety. We are going to have to get another eight or nine wins."

City came close to rescuing a point against Palace on Saturday after a disastrous opening 15 minutes when they let the visitors take complete control with two early goals.

Ronnie Wallwork - making his debut for the Bantams after signing on loan from West Brom - pulled one back and nearly levelled with two excellent efforts in the dying moments of a pulsating match.

"The players are very disappointed," said Todd. "We got more balls into the box and had a lot of shots (18 in total) but we just couldn't get that second goal. Once again we are very, very disappointed.

"To find ourselves two goals down - and we have been in a position many times throughout the season where we have conceded poor, poor goals - left us with a mountain to climb.

"But on the positive side, we didn't fold. We stuck at it and were rewarded with a good goal from a good player in Ronnie Wallwork."

Wallwork only signed for City on Wednesday and had just two days' training with the squad before taking his place in the team.

But he was City's man of the match and now the club hope to keep Wallwork longer. "We are hoping to extend his loan to three months," said Todd.

Even Palace boss Iain Dowie was glowing with his praise for the Manchester United man after the game.

"Ronnie kept sneaking in making good runs and was a threat to us all game. He's a very good player - he didn't play for Manchester United for nothing."

l Danny Cadamarteri's injury problems continued on Saturday. He limped off after 43 minutes with a calf problem and is now doubtful for the next few games.

"We don't know the full extent of the injury yet, but he may be out of action for a while again," said Todd.