BEN Williams has challenged City to launch another unbeaten run after their proud two-month record came to a frustrating finish.

The keeper's hopes of equalling club history with an eighth straight clean sheet were also ended with Saturday's loss at Walsall.

It was City's first defeat in 11 games as they dropped back out of the League One play-off positions.

But Williams, who let in a goal for the first time in over 11 hours, believes they are capable of mounting a similar surge into the second half of the season.

He said: "The mentality of the group now is to start another run. If we can emulate what we've just done, it will put us in a very good position in a couple of months' time.

"If we can do that coming into the end of January, early February after a busy Christmas period, then it's straight for the finish line, if you like.

"We're looking at top six as a minimum. You look at the players we've got and we have that confidence. Given the hard work and determination we've got, that is possible."

Walsall's opener in the 2-1 win was the first time Williams had been beaten for 678 minutes. Milan Lalkovic's shot deflected into the path of Tom Bradshaw, who scored his 12th goal of the season.

Williams admitted: "It's probably how runs like that come to an end – a couple of ricochets and it lands nicely for him.

"He was in the right place at the right time for a striker. It's fortunate it's fallen to him and he's scuffed it into the bottom corner.

"But you just dust yourselves off, get on with it and create another run like we've had."

Phil Parkinson was adamant City should have had a stoppage-time penalty when substitute Devante Cole's shot was handled by home centre half James O'Connor.

The Bantams boss said: "I thought it was a penalty. The defender has turned his back but his arms are out.

"If you're stopping a goal-bound shot with your arms, then it's got to be a penalty. The ref said it was a close-range thing but he's put his arms out and gained the benefit from it."

City are now preparing for their FA Cup home date with non-League minnows Chesham – and Williams does not feel that morale will dip after the weekend setback.

"It shouldn't knock the confidence because the boys can take a lot of heart from the second-half performance," said the City keeper.

"The overwhelming feeling is disappointment and frustration because we didn't give ourselves the chance of a good start.

"We didn't start as positively as we have been doing recently. But we came into the game, defended really well and limited them to very few chances.

"It's just unfortunate they took theirs. Their goalkeeper has been busier than me and on another day it would have resulted in a win.

"It has been an intense run and the games have come thick and fast, especially with the FA Cup replay as well.

"It would have been nice to take stock in the play-off position we were in – but we aren't too far away from it.

"We'll look to progress in the FA Cup and then get back to hopefully starting another league run."