BRADFORD City midfielder Billy Clarke admitted the whole squad had been left “absolutely devastated” by their 1-0 League One play-off final defeat to Millwall.

Ex-Leeds striker Steve Morison struck after 85 minutes to send the Lions into the Championship following one of only two on-target efforts of a tense afternoon at Wembley.

Summing up his thoughts after being the first Bantams player to front up for a post-match interview, a crestfallen Clarke said: “All the lads are absolutely devastated and it’s really hard to take.

“We gave it our all, but it was always going to be a tight game and a matter of fine lines. We just didn’t want to be on the losing side of that.”

Clarke, who was replaced as part of a double 70th-minute substitution by Stuart McCall that also saw Nicky Law make way with Alex Jones and Timothee Dieng introduced, had earlier broke clear with City’s best opportunity of the game during the opening exchanges.

He was denied by a good reflex save by Jordan Archer after charging on to Mark Marshall’s through ball and, reflecting on that chance, he added: “It was a long run and I think it took a nick off the defender as well.”

At the final whistle, meanwhile, hundreds of Millwall supporters spilled on to the pitch, while both sets of players waited for the presentation ceremony.

Clarke did not condemn those who led the invasion, though, reasoning: “You expect that really.”