GUTTED Stuart McCall admitted City's defeat at promotion rivals Fleetwood was a tough one to take.

The Bantams had looked on course for a vital win at Highbury when Jordy Hiwula fired in his 11th goal of the season.

McCall's men should have doubled their lead in the second half but Alex Gilliead, making his first start for the club, drove over the bar with a gilt-edged chance.

Former Bantams striker Devante Cole then levelled against the run of play as City were caught napping.

And Fleetwood, unbeaten in three months, completed their comeback victory with a deflection off Josh Cullen.

McCall felt the Gilliead chance was the turning point but was unhappy with the lack of concentration for both Fleetwood goals.

"Alex was terrific but he's got an open goal to make it 2-0 and that's the fine lines between winning and losing," said the City boss.

"I don't want to blame the lad but he's in front of goal. He puts it in and then it's probably game over.

"We talked about getting the first goal because they are so strong at home and we did that.

"We were first to most second balls in the first half and stopped them getting into the areas they wanted to.

"There weren't a lot of chances but we were in control. I thought we were fine until the (first Fleetwood) goal went in.

"I sound like a broken record but there were so many good things about the performance.

"There had been no pressure on us really. Fleetwood were kicking long and trying to get in behind us and we were coping with it.

"I'm so disappointed with the goals because we've switched off."

City have now gone ten games without a clean sheet away from home and McCall was fuming at the lapses late on.

He said: "We switched off against Gillingham from a throw-in and that's so unprofessional. So we'd talked on Monday about being switched on from set-plays.

"But then we switch off again for the second and I think it ends up as a Josh own goal."