TONY McMahon reckons City’s Checkatrade Trophy clash at Cheltenham has gained added importance after their weekend stumble.

The Bantams suffered only their fourth league loss with a poor display at Shrewsbury.

McMahon admitted that has acted as a “slap in the face” after back-to-back wins – and provides extra incentive tomorrow night when they bid to make it into the quarter-finals of the knock-out competition.

“There’s been a lot said about the Checkatrade and the set-up of it,” said McMahon. “But the lads playing at Cheltenham tomorrow will be desperate to win.

“When you lose a game, you want the next one to come along as quickly as possible.

“Luckily for us we’re still in the cup and have that chance to put it right.

“It’s now getting to the business end. We’re three games away from Wembley and it’s a brilliant chance for the lads who haven’t played there before.

“Saturday was a wake-up call for us but that’s what football does to you. When things are going well, it seems to come back and bite you in the bum.

“But we’ve got a quick turnaround to the next game and we want to play again to get back on it.”

City stayed in fourth despite the 1-0 defeat at the Greenhous Meadow as promotion rivals around them slipped up. Leaders Sheffield United, Bolton and Rochdale were also beaten.

McMahon added: “There was nothing in the game. We gave them the goal by a mistake but we don’t point the finger at any one.

“It gave them something to hang on to and they worked ever so hard.

“We’ll take praise when it comes our way and we’ll take criticism as well.

“A few of us didn’t perform to the standards that we set.

“We’ve been playing so well, winning games, and dominating games from start to finish.

“But we didn’t get going. Shrewsbury pressed the life out of us from minute one and kept going.

“We just huffed and puffed but just didn’t have enough quality to come back at them.”

James Meredith twisted his ankle and will be assessed today. Stuart McCall will make changes for the Trophy tie but plans to name a strong side.

McCall is confident of a response from Saturday and said: “I don’t want to be over-critical.

“We know we need to be on top of our game to get results and thankfully we’ve done that most of the season.

“Apart from two or three occasions, the performances have generally been very good.

“Shrewsbury defended for their lives but we were sloppy at times in possession. There wasn’t enough care with the ball.

“Losing the goal just before half-time gave them a lift but it could still have been a Northampton situation.

“It wasn’t about desire and drive because we know we’ve got that. There were a few times when we were almost in but they would get a block in.

“We can’t dwell on things. We’ve done fine to get where we are but we have to look forward now.”