RORY McArdle hopes that history will repeat itself to extend City's remarkable road run at Colchester tomorrow.

The Bantams head for Essex chasing a fourth straight league away win – a feat they have not achieved since 1985.

While they have stuttered at Valley Parade, Phil Parkinson's men are unbeaten on their travels so far with ten points from a possible 12. They have not lost away in League One since Swindon on Easter Monday.

City are already halfway towards last season's tally of six wins on the road and McArdle sees no reason why that streak cannot continue against Colchester, where they triumphed on the last visit in March.

McArdle recalled: "It was a similar time around a period when we had a few sticky results.

"People were looking at it as a tricky four-hour trip and thinking we might struggle but we went there and got a 2-0 result in midweek. There's no reason why we can't do that again.

"Our form at the moment (of winning away and losing at home) is a complete transformation to last year.

"But it might have been good for us to have a couple of away games and get away from the spotlight a little bit.

"But we still want to play at home and put things right and make sure we give the fans performances to enjoy.

"It's important that we build on Tuesday's win tomorrow and then do the same back at MK Dons in the cup. Hopefully then we can take that confidence back to Valley Parade and get back to winning ways there."

The 2-1 victory at stadium:mk, which followed up wins at Rochdale and Crawley, has equalled a run last set by Nicky Law's side in March 2003.

You have to go back to the ill-fated 1984-85 season for the last time City beat that – winning five away games in a row under Trevor Cherry on the way to the Division Three championship.

City inflicted a first home defeat on MK Dons without the services of top scorer James Hanson after the targetman tweaked his thigh ten minutes before kick-off.

Incredibly, it was the first time they have won when missing both Hanson and Andrew Davies in 11 attempts.

McArdle said: "It's strange how football works. Looking at the last two results at home, nobody would have given us a chance going to MK Dons.

"Everyone outside probably thought the worst for us and then we lost Hans in the warm-up. He's a massive player for us and his goals have got us where we are in the league.

"It just shows the character of everyone. Look at Billy Clarke, who came in for him at the last minute.

"He hadn't expected to play but he showed his mind was on it, he'd prepared properly and he ended up scoring. I was really pleased for Billy to get his goal.

"I thought the game plan worked a treat and our shape and discipline was very good. That's what you need away from home."

Having conceded four times from set-plays in the Valley Parade losses to Yeovil and Swindon, McArdle and the back four stood up to 14 corners from the Dons.

The Northern Ireland international, who will again be partnered in the middle by Christopher Routis tomorrow, is confident that those recent blips are now behind them.

McArdle said: "We know ourselves that we've not been defending set-pieces as well as we have done. That's not us.

"It's almost a case of conceding one and then all of a sudden they've come at the same time.

"It's important we make it hard for teams to get opportunities from set-pieces. The manager has stressed that.

"With Chris coming in, it is another change in personnel, but I thought he was great the other night. He was the same at Oldham and showed how calm he is.

"I wasn't too sure about him dribbling up the pitch at one stage but he was fine. Everyone is working hard together and happy to stick their head in to help each other out.

"MK had a lot of corners and they had boys who were prepared to go and attack them. The delivery was good but, apart from a couple of half chances, it didn't go in.

"We might have had the odd bit of luck when the ball could have ricocheted in their favour but we probably earned that. On previous occasions, like last Saturday, it's dropped straight to their striker."