Gary Walsh, left, has been ordered to banish thoughts of his Manchester United gaffe and instead cement his place in Bradford City's relegation fight.

Walsh's embarrassing air-kick presented Teddy Sheringham with the easiest of goals on Saturday and destroyed the Bantams' plucky resistance as the champions ran out 3-0 winners.

But boss Jim Jefferies has refused to make his keeper the scapegoat and issued an immediate vote of confidence.

Walsh will be in the side against Sunderland on Sunday as Jefferies scotched suggestions that transfer-listed Matt Clarke could come in from the cold after a five-week exile.

Jefferies said: "Gary was very low afterwards, sat there with a towel over his head not being able to face l Continued - Page 38

anybody. It was a howler and he knows it changed what was a very creditable performance into an unjust 3-0.

"But I tried to give him as big a boost as I could by saying he would be in between the sticks next week. He's an experienced pro and a good goalkeeper and that's the first mistake he's made.

"He didn't make any excuses about the ball bobbling and just said he hesitated. It would be wrong to crucify Gary for that and there's no way he is going to be dropped.

"The best keepers in the world make mistakes. Man United spent £4m on Massimo Taibi who let in a couple of howlers. You just want to a big hole to open up to bury you in it.

"Gary has got to get over it and I'm sure he will do the right thing. If he loses his confidence he knows he will jeopardise his place.

"But he's nothing to feel bad about in terms of his performances for me. He's made a howler but these things happen.

"He's a smashing goalkeeper and I still feel very confident with him. The only boost I can give him is that he will be in the goal at Sunderland.

"The sad thing is that it took the gloss off at a time when we were gaining in stature and might just have got something."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I would never wish that on any goalkeeper, particularly Gary Walsh and I felt for him."

Jefferies added: "The light at the end of the tunnel is that other teams down there are struggling now. We may be struggling for results but in terms of performances we might just surprise a few.

"We're the backmarkers and it's tough when things like that first goal against you. The game is hard enough without giving away goals like that."