SIMON Grayson admitted City’s last-gasp loss to Wigan was a “kick in the teeth”.

Michael Jacobs scored a stoppage-time goal to condemn the Bantams to a ninth home loss in Grayson’s first game in charge at Valley Parade.

Defeat leaves his side still six points adrift of the play-offs and the City chief felt it was a tough one to take.

Grayson said: “I don’t think there was a great deal between the two teams. It was heading for a 0-0.

“There was a lot of endeavour, good work rate and attitude from the players. I don’t think any of them have left anything on the grass and there are no complaints from me on that side of it.

“It’s just ultimately at the top end of the pitch where you try to win games and we didn’t have that little bit of quality when it mattered.”

After back-to-back postponements, the condition of the Valley Parade pitch made it tough for both sides and there were few chances. City did not manage a shot on target.

Grayson added: “The ground staff have done a fantastic job to get it on but you could see it was difficult to open teams up and both goalkeepers hardly had a save to make.

“The circumstances weren’t easy but you have to deal with it and play a certain way.

“The players worked hard for each other and gave everything. Wigan didn’t show much quality at the top end as well.

“It’s a kick in the teeth for us because a draw would have been a fair result.”

With Charlie Wyke suspended, Shay McCartan partnered Alex Gilliead up front in a 3-5-2 system.

“We went with that system because we thought it might help us keep a clean sheet and still get two up the pitch,” said Grayson.

“People have said it’s probably the best we’ve played without the ball for quite a long time. We made it difficult for the opposition.

“But we’ve got to get that balance right at the top end of the pitch.

“No disrespect but Wigan should be getting promoted with the players and budget they’ve got.”

City are back in training today as they build up for Monday’s televised trip to Doncaster.

“We’re disappointed but we have to dust ourselves down,” added Grayson. “We’ve 11 games to go and can still achieve a target of getting into the play-offs.

“I’m sure there will be plenty more teams dropping and gaining points and we prepare ourselves for another game on Monday now.

“The attitude has been fantastic. I’m still learning about the players in match-day situations because it’s been nearly three weeks since we last played.

“It’s a starting point but obviously we’ve got to start winning games – which we’re more than capable of doing in the next 11.”