CITY have been backed to stay the pace with Sheffield United in the promotion race – by arch nemesis Billy Sharp.

The striker with the knack of scoring against the Bantams believes both sides are strong enough to remain in the mix at the top of League One.

Sharp netted two – and was trying to claim a hat-trick – in Saturday’s pulsating 3-3 draw at Valley Parade.

He stirred up the Kop with his celebrations but still reckons the City fans will have plenty to cheer this season.

Sharp said: “I think both teams will go the distance, certainly on this evidence. We both showed quality and showed we can score goals.

“Both sides will be disappointed (not to win) but also relieved to get something out of the game. Hopefully, we are both up there but with us higher than them.

“In the tunnel, I could tell both teams were up for it. I just felt it was going to be a good game but maybe not quite as good as it turned out.

“Bradford are a good side and good at what they do. They played short and long and mixed things up to try and mess us around.”

Sharp has now netted in five of his last six games against City and added: “There are teams who you just score against. I had a feeling I would score against Bradford.

“Their fans wind me up and I like to wind them back up. The referee did get on to me not to go too far.

“I was expecting them to start singing when they went 3-2 up but it was all good natured. I was just happy to be able to play football in a good atmosphere like this.”

Jordy Hiwula claimed his fourth City goal – and suffered a cut across the bridge of his nose from fellow scorer Timothee Dieng as he celebrated.

Hiwula, who was also denied by the woodwork late on, views the result as a good benchmark against a team unbeaten in ten.

Hiwula said: “It was a crazy game. Both teams went out to win it and tried to play football.

“The game was end-to-end stuff and we could have won it at the end. I thought my shot was going in but instead, it hit the bar.

“I think I got the whack in the celebrations but I don’t remember to be honest.

“There was loads of adrenaline during the game and I didn’t notice until somebody pointed it out afterwards.

“I’ll put my head in anywhere and if I get a whack on the nose so be it.”

The draw kept City a point above Sheffield United but they will surrender second place if Bolton win at Bury tonight.

Stuart McCall felt it was a “privilege” to be part of a game that was a great advert for League One.

He said: “Any team that finishes above Sheffield United will get promoted.

“We knew it was going to be a blood and guts ‘cup tie’. It was a derby game between two teams both trying to win and credit to our lads that we matched them.”

Blades boss Chris Wilder was just as complimentary about City. He said: “They are by far and away the best team we have played this season.”