BEN Williams is backing the Bantams mean machine to continue their shut-out spree in the play-offs.

City can prepare for their end-of-season promotion showdown on the back of Saturday’s win at Southend.

Williams extended his club record to 21 clean sheets in the league with a sixth shut-out in the last eight games.

A fifth 1-0 win in that spell at Roots Hall ensured that Phil Parkinson’s side clinched their play-off status with a week to spare.

Williams said: “Any good team is built on a good defensive foundation. That’s us.

“Apart from last week (against Walsall), we’ve not been a free-scoring team and we understand that.

“But it gives us a base. If you keep clean sheets, the worst that can happen is a draw. Lately though our speciality has been a 1-0.

“Play-offs are usually incredibly tight, apart from Sheffield United and Swindon last year.

“There’s not been many games when there’s been a lot separating teams.

“It’s important to have that base. We go into next week looking for some momentum to go into those play-off games.

“Whoever it then may be, we will take it in our stride.

“If you go through a season winning 1-0, you’ll take that. It shows what a good squad you have.”

Lee Evans scored the decisive goal in Essex in front of 1,550 travelling fans to spare any final-day nerves at home to Chesterfield on Sunday.

Parkinson has given his players an extra day off this week to “chill out a little bit” but Williams believes they can use the league finale to maintain their rhythm going into the serious battle.

The City keeper added: “It’s the start of a journey now. Next week’s about performing well, hopefully getting another clean sheet and scoring goals to give us momentum going into the play-offs.

“We’re playing well enough to deal with any problems thrown our way. We demand a lot from each other.

“That clean sheet number now of 26 for the season, including FA Cup games, is phenomenal and we want to keep pushing that.

“We’ve said all season, it’s not just about the personal statistic for goalkeepers – the team can all take credit.

“I don’t think it’s anything other than sheer hard work and determination from every one of us.

“It’s not just me but the whole back four and the squad. Everyone who has come in has that real determination to keep clean sheets.

“You can see people putting their bodies on the line. It’s not about me making numerous saves every game because there have been times when I’ve hardly even touched the ball.”

City can finish no lower than fifth and are set to face either Millwall or Walsall, who play their game in hand at home to Fleetwood this afternoon.

Parkinson has no preference for semi-final opposition.

He said: “We know they are all going to be tough games. But we’ll concentrate on what we’ve done well this season.

“It’s another step for us to be in the play-offs but we want to make it a really big achievement now.

“It’s time to chill out a little bit, take a deep breath and get ready for what is a great spectacle come the end of the season.

“I’m really looking forward to what is ahead. So many have got nothing to play for and their season has petered out into nothing.

“We’ve got the excitement of the playoffs. We’ve been there before and it is great to be involved.”