CITY will have to rewrite modern history if they are to reach Wembley for the third time in three years.

The Bantams head into the play-off opener against Millwall at Valley Parade next weekend on the back of seven straight home wins.

But the recent semi-final trend is not on their side after finishing a point below the Lions in fifth spot as no team outside the top four has reached the League One final for the past five seasons.

City start as underdogs with the bookies but Phil Parkinson believes they have the mentality to handle the potentially hostile environment of Millwall away in the decisive second game.

"Going down to the Den for that second leg suits the character of myself and Steve (Parkin) as the management team and the group of players we've got," said the Bantams boss.

"We have to make sure we put in a great performance at home first and then relish the challenge of going down there when it comes.

"Anyone you play in the play-offs is going to be tough. The best teams are there on merit. We're just pleased to be part of it and can't wait."

The last side to host the first semi-final and make it to Wembley were Swindon in 2010 – ironically beating Parkinson's Charlton on penalties to do it.

In four of the five years since, the fourth-placed side has gone on to win the final. But City, of course, won promotion from League Two from seventh spot in 2013.

Tickets went on sale yesterday for Sunday lunchtime's first leg and Parkinson is urging supporters to turn out in force.

The crowd of 20,807 for the weekend's 2-0 win over Chesterfield was the biggest at home in the league since West Brom's promotion party in the Championship 14 years earlier.

Parkinson has stressed how much his side will need that "12th man" against Millwall. He said: "It's very important that everybody gets their tickets and packs this place out next week.

"The crowd is a huge plus for us. They've played a massive part in the run we've had of seven home wins on the trot. We've now got to make sure this place is full so we can use that 12th man to our advantage."

City's 1-0 win over Millwall on Easter Saturday began a run which saw them lose only once in the last nine games. They picked up 22 points from a possible 27 to finish the league campaign strongly.

Parkinson resisted the temptation to chop and change too much on Sunday because he wanted to maintain that momentum.

"You look back a few years ago when we went to Cheltenham (in the same position before the play-offs) and drew 0-0," he recalled.

"We rested a lot of players and when they came back in the team for the Burton first leg, they weren't quite on it.

"That's why we wanted to play as many as possible. It's about maintaining what we've been doing all season and nothing else.

"Play to the best of our ability and if we can do that, we'll have a great chance. You can't beat playing well, simple as that.

"I said to the lads, in all my experience as a manager and a player, that you can't turn it on hot and cold.

"It was so important to treat Sunday as part of our preparation going into the play-offs. We needed to play well to take that into what is going to be a great weekend."