STUART McCall urged City not to get too deflated as they fired another blank in their EFL Cup first-round exit at Accrington.

The Bantams were knocked out 11-10 in a penalty shoot-out last night after 120 minutes had failed to produce a goal.

City are still looking to break their duck in the season and McCall, who saw his side miss a hatful of chances, is determined that confidence will not dip.

He said: “It’s important the players and supporters don’t get affected because we’ve not scored after two games.

“It’s got to come. If we keep creating the chances, we’ve got to start putting the ball in the net.

“The result was hugely disappointing, not the performance, and we can’t let that affect us.

“It’s hard to get your head round. But we’ve got to keep believing in each other and we’ll be fine.”

Nicky Law and Reece Webb-Foster both missed in the lengthy shoot-out after City had failed to prise open a resolute Stanley, who had goalkeeper Elliot Parish sent off after 74 minutes.

McCall added: “It shouldn’t get to penalty kicks but we know the most important thing in football is to get the ball in the back of the net. We played some really good stuff and created so many opportunities.

“We’ve missed some really good chances but both their keepers have made three or four terrific saves, we’ve hit the post and the bar. We’ve done everything but score.

“I don’t want the pressure to build on the strikers for not scoring. Wide men have missed opportunities, so have centre halves, it’s throughout the team.

“I would be more worried if we weren’t playing well and creating things.

“You’ve got to keep believing in what you’re doing, keep putting yourself in the right places and be confident to put the chances away.”

McCall, who left latest signing Josh Cullen out of the squad, admitted City are no nearer bringing in another frontman. “We are trying, trying, trying. I can’t say more than that.”

Kieran Agard, one confirmed target, is close to joining MK Dons.