STEPHEN Darby believes City’s play-off experience will be crucial going into the Fleetwood double-header.

As the Bantams build up for tomorrow’s semi-final opener at Valley Parade, memories are still fresh about stumbling at the same stage to Millwall last season.

Darby is one of the six survivors in the squad from the team that were knocked out 4-2 on aggregate by the Lions to end Phil Parkinson’s tenure.

But others like Romain Vincelot and Nicky Law are equally well accustomed to the unique atmosphere of play-off football.

Darby said: “The whole season comes down to this and it does help that we have got experience in the dressing room.

“We’ve got a great bunch of lads and we’re confident but I’m sure we’ll keep our feet on the ground.

“We know how much hard work has got to go in over the next week to get to where we want to be.

“Think back to last year and those emotions you felt after the second leg.

“That does spur you on – you don’t want to have that feeling again after the second game on Sunday.

“It’s hard to take and it’s important we try to turn that into a positive. We have the chance to do that now.”

Darby was one of the nine changes Stuart McCall made for the final league game at Rochdale on Sunday – a selection policy that has not gone down well with the English Football League.

Having been a regular in City’s last two play-off campaigns, the right back is likely to find himself back on the bench against the Cod Army.

With his contract up in the summer, Darby’s future at the club he has served so well since 2012 is very much up in the air.

Parkinson enquired about taking him to Bolton at the end of the January transfer window and is expected to try again for their return to the Championship next season. But a probable fringe role over this pivotal week will not shift Darby’s focus.

He said: “Everyone’s frustrated when they aren’t playing – but that’s football. You have to be professional about it.

“Whether you’re starting, on the bench or not involved at all, you’ve still got to keep training the right way.

“It’s important we all have the right mentality and push in the same direction. We all want the same thing.

“The mood within the camp is one of real excitement. It’s what you’ve worked so hard for during the season.

“But we’re not patting ourselves on the back just yet. That’s the first job done and we know these two games are going to be tough.”