STUART McCall views Scunthorpe as a timely warning for City about how fast the promotion picture can change.

The fourth-placed Bantams head into Sunday's televised date at Glanford Park with a two-point advantage on their hosts.

Having led League One at the start of last month, Scunthorpe have crashed to fifth after losing five of the last six games. City have gained 11 points on them in that time.

It is a far cry from when the Iron drew 0-0 at Valley Parade at Boxing Day. At the time they were top of the table and enjoyed a ten-point cushion on McCall's men.

So the City boss will use their unexpected fall from grace as a reminder to his own side about the potential twists and turns that could impact any of the play-off challengers in the final five weeks of the season.

McCall said: "You look back to when the gap was ten points after we drew with them at Valley Parade. Now here we are two ahead.

"After the last game against Scunthorpe, you probably wouldn't envisage with the gap we had that we would manage to be above them before we played them again. But that shows everyone what can happen.

"It's not where you are on December 26, January 1 or after Sunday's game. It's about the final table when we come off the pitch on April 30. I keep saying it but it's true. That is the only time it matters."

Scunthorpe have kept only one clean sheet in their 17 games since the Valley Parade stalemate – and City will be hoping for some joy from set-pieces.

There have been slim pickings this season from a traditional Bantams strength but McCall believes there is an edge about his side from corners and free-kicks again just in time for the run-in.

He said: "We look a goal threat from them now. Our two dead-ball specialists, Billy Clarke and Tony McMahon, are both very good. Big Rory (McArdle) has come back in the side and that's made a difference.

"He could have had a hat-trick on Saturday – he had one bad miss, one was unlucky and the keeper knew nothing about it and one was a good save. Nat (Knight-Percival) had one saved and Tim (Dieng) missed one as well.

"The deliveries from McMahon have been top drawer of late. It's the same with Billy's left foot. It helps when you've got two lads who are going to put the balls in there with such good quality."