PHIL Parkinson paid tribute to his players as City extended their impressive unbeaten league run to seven games.

Midfielder Gary Liddle headed home Tony McMahon’s left-wing free-kick in first-half stoppage time and Billy Clarke’s neat strike made it 2-0 in the 58th minute.

The striker cut inside on the right-hand side of the penalty box before hitting a low left-foot shot which deflected past Crewe goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

City are now on the cusp of the play-off places in seventh and have not conceded a goal in their last four matches.

More significantly, they have now won five during their unbeaten league run and Parkinson hailed the patience his men showed in seeing off the division’s bottom side.

The Bantams boss said: “We had a lot of chances today in the first and you do get a bit concerned when they don’t go in.

“But I thought the lads showed tremendous patience with the way we passed the ball and kept switching the play.

“We finally got our rewards with Gary Liddle’s goal and then got a second through Billy Clarke in the second half, which is the cushion you always need.”

Parkinson paid tribute to groundsman Mick Doyle and his staff as City’s pitch, which was relaid over the summer, held up amid incessant rain.

“It was excellent and when you’ve got players like Billy Knott and Billy Clarke, you need a slick surface and it was a huge benefit,” added Parkinson.