STUART McCall reflected on City’s 2-0 loss at St Johnstone last night and admitted: “We bossed that game.”

The Bantams, who were missing James Hanson and James Meredith, dominated the play against the Scottish Premier League side.

But they were beaten by two first-half goals from free-kicks – which left McCall bemused by the final outcome.

He said: “We controlled the game. I can’t remember a game for a long time when a team’s had so much possession – it must have been 70 per cent.

“But at any level of football, top level, non-league, or kids, if you can’t defend set-plays you’re going to be in trouble.

“You can have as much of the ball as you want but you’ve got to deal with two crosses into the box.

“Macca (Tony McMahon) has had a rick in his neck and young Danny Devine is a midfield player. We did lack a bit of height and aerial presence.

“But we were never in any danger after that. They were the only two times they threatened.”

Devine, who deputised for Meredith at left back, was one of eight players who stayed on for the full game. Filipe Morais started for the first half and showed moments of quality and his replacement Mark Marshall impressed again in the second.

McCall added: “We need to do better finishing but I was really pleased with a lot of the football. There was good movement.

“If we defended properly at set-pieces, we’d have come in wondering how we didn’t win the game with the possession of the ball we had in the forward areas.”

Striker Jordy Hiwula played all 90 minutes and McCall said: “He showed second half when he opens his legs and feels a part of it, he’s going to be a threat.