Colin Todd blasted Lee Crooks after ten-man City came a

cropper in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Crooks was sent off after only six minutes last night at non-league Kidderminster Harriers.

The Bantams lost 2-1 to the Conference side and blew the prospect of a money-spinning run to the final.

And Todd pointed an accusing

finger at Crooks, who was red-carded for a reckless lunge on home striker Lee Thompson.

"His self-discipline was nil, he had to go and that punished us," fumed the Bantams boss. "There was no need to tackle in that position and it was an outrageous tackle.

"He has apologised to the players but what I can't understand is why he had to tackle. And if you tackle, tackle honestly.

"He's let everybody else down because that game was there for the taking."

City were angry that the opening goal was allowed to stand, with Iyseden Christie appearing to be well offside when he scored.

But the defeat completes a grim week which has also seen the Bantams knocked out of the FA Cup and beaten at home by struggling Rotherham.

Todd admitted: "At the moment the tide has just turned against us and it's down to us to turn it back in our favour once again, which we will do.

"The first goal was a blatant offside and you could tell that by the way the skipper protested. I could see that their lad was two or three yards off so why couldn't the linesman?

"But we make things difficult for ourselves by having to play so much of the game down to ten men."

Sub Joe Brown scored City's consolation with his second senior goal.

"He's had two opportunities now and scored on both occasions," said Todd. "The boy looks like he's a goalscorer."

Kidderminster allowed a group of City fans in for free after their coach was held up by motorway congestion.

The supporters, on the club's official transport, did not arrive at the ground until just before half-time.

Secretary Jon Pollard said: "Obviously it's very regrettable but unfortunately they were victims of circumstances beyond our control."