Stuart McCall cast a confident eye to the future as City kissed goodbye to the play-offs with last night's loss at Rochdale.

Substitute Adam Le Fondre struck late on to sink the Bantams - just as he had done when the sides met the first time this season.

The loss leaves McCall's side 11 points off the top seven with only six games left and effectively only playing for pride.

But despite the 2-1 scoreline, the City chief was encouraged to see another promotion-chasing opponent taken all the way.

"Rochdale are right up there but again there wasn't a lot in it," said McCall.

"I think we've proved in the last four or five games that we can be a match for the top teams and that's a good sign for next season.

"We've played Chesterfield, Rotherham, Darlington and now Rochdale and been as good as them.

"We know where we need to strengthen for next season and we're confident of doing that.

"MK Dons and Peterborough are looking like going up but next season, is there going to be any teams who can throw their money about like those two?

"It's not just about money but you see who's coming down and wouldn't expect any of those sides to be in the same position as the top two."

City made a shocking start to fall behind after just 21 seconds but fought back with Peter Thorne's second-half penalty.

They were denied by the woodwork three times - including twice in a stoppage-time rally which nearly forced a second equaliser.

McCall said: "I've got to be reasonably happy with the performance and on another night we would have got something. It's disappointing to lose because I thought our chances merited a draw.

"We got off to the worst possible start, giving a sloppy goal away, but we got back into it. We were up against a side with confidence and they've got some good players - but so have we.

"At 1-1, I hoped we could go on and win like we did at Darlington - but they upped their game and kept at it. But when you hit the bar and the post three times, it's a bit cruel.

"We've not talked about the play-offs recently but it would have been nice if we could have gone there and won. It would have put a little bit of pressure on them but unfortunately it wasn't to be."

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