JAMES Meredith will welcome a hostile Den tonight as City look to write another chapter of club history.

Phil Parkinson's side aim to emulate the class of '96 by clawing back a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the League One play-off final.

Millwall have won their last six at home and will be backed by a frenzied home crowd. Yet Meredith, a veteran of the 2013 play-off success, believes the Bantams will relish the intense surroundings.

He said: "It's going to be hectic, lively and they are going to throw everything at us – but the atmosphere doesn't intimidate me at all.

"I'm not the sort of person to let things like that bother me. I don't mind a bit of hostility or rage.

"I don't think anyone will be overawed by it. We're a team full of big characters with a lot of quality and experience.

"We can certainly stand up to that and do what we have to. We didn't show it the other day in the first half but tonight I think we will."

James Hanson did not travel with the squad yesterday after being ruled out with an internal bleed in his calf, although the return of Reece Burke and Billy Clarke increases City's options.

Only three third-tier teams, including Chris Kamara's Bantams 20 years ago, have got to Wembley after losing the first play-off semi-final by two goals. The last were Yeovil against Nottingham Forest in 2007.

But Meredith insists City have the track record to overturn the odds and the left back said: "We're good in the big games. We always have been.

"It's an opportunity like Chelsea and Burton a few years ago to show what we've got.

"A lot of fans say the best game they ever went to was that second leg at Burton. Nobody really thought we could do it but we pulled it back and the atmosphere in the away end was incredible.

"We're going in there with the underdog mentality. That suits us and we'll be able to pile the pressure on them.

"Who knows what can happen? Hopefully we can do our jobs properly and give the fans something to remember forever."

Parkinson has reminded his players there is no need for a gung-ho approach but he wants them to play with freedom and stressed that all the pressure is on Millwall.

The City boss said: "They will feel they've already done it. You pick that up from bits and pieces in the interviews down there.

"The crowd will be hostile but equally, can we create a nervousness in and around the ground?

"We know Millwall's crowd can get on the backs of their team quickly and become frustrated. It's our job to make that apparent tonight.

"I've been down to Millwall many times over the years when I was Charlton manager and seen the crowd become a real negative for their own players.

"There are 90 minutes to get back in the game. We're not 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go.

"We've taken 70 points from the last 36 league games. We've gone on that run by being a good team and building from a solid base.

"But it won't be a night when we can play well for 45 minutes. We've got to be at our best from the kick-off to the very end when the ref blows his whistle – whether that's after 90 minutes or 120."

City have worked on different scenarios in training for chasing the current deficit. Parkinson is determined his team will leave nothing in their attempt to sign off another season of progress with a crack at promotion to the Championship.

Parkinson said: "Sometimes players go through their whole careers not making the play-offs, never mind appearing at Wembley. We've got to do everything we can to get to that final and play at that fantastic stadium.

"This club went to Blackpool under Chris Kamara 2-0 down and won; gone to Burton 3-2 down and won; were 2-0 down against Chelsea and won 4-2.

"There's a spirit in Bradford City; a never-say-die attitude which we've got to take with us.

"Those examples in history will tell you it can be achieved. But to do that we know we've got to put in one of our biggest and best performances, not just this season but in recent years."