KEVIN Toner would relish a crack at play-off revenge on Scunthorpe.

City's late loss at Glanford Park on Sunday took the gloss off a goal-scoring debut from the on-loan centre half – but it also sharpened his desire for possible payback in the end-of-season promotion shoot-out.

Scunthorpe's 3-2 win, only their second in seven games, saw them edge above the Bantams into fourth spot as the top-six battle hots up.

Should the League One campaign finish like that, they would meet each other again in the play-off semi-finals.

Having dominated the televised encounter only to finish with nothing, Toner is confident City could settle the score in any rematch.

He said: "I'd fancy our chances 100 per cent. I'd like to think that if we play like that next time, we'll get the win. But we'll just play the next six games and see how it ends up.

"Everyone is taking it game-by-game and treating each one like a cup final. We want to rack up as many points as we can.

"Every single game is important from now. There isn't one where we can think 'oh, we'll take it easy today' – every single one matters."

City have won just once in 11 attempts against the six sides around them, when they came from behind to beat Fleetwood at Valley Parade in September. But the weekend's setback was only their third defeat, with seven of those games finishing drawn.

Stuart McCall's men still have to go to leaders Sheffield United for a televised showdown on Easter Monday, although the Blades could already be up by then.

McCall will monitor Nathaniel Knight-Percival's facial injury this week ahead of Walsall's visit on Saturday.

But the City boss was pleased with how well Toner deputised as the third centre half alongside Rory McArdle and Romain Vincelot.

"Kevin equipped himself terrifically well, not just with his goal but his all-round performance," said McCall.

"Naturally it was a blow to lose Nat but Kev did a good job. He suits playing in the left of a three."

Toner has had to bide his time after joining on deadline day at the end of January and he admitted to feeling a few nerves.

The Aston Villa youngster said: "You want to set a good impression in your first game, especially with all the travelling fans there. Telly adds a bit of pressure as well but I'd like to think I did okay.

"Rory and Romain were brilliant the whole game, telling me what to do and making sure I stayed switched on. If I was a tiny bit out of position, they'd give me a shove and get me back in.

"On a personal level, it was good to score my first professional goal and I was happy enough with that.

"But it doesn't matter if you score and lose. You'd rather have the three points all day long, especially in such a big game. It was a good experience until the end."

Toner, who made 20 appearances for Walsall in the first half of the season, is hoping he can stay in to face the Saddlers.

"I'd like to keep my place and get a run of games but we'll have to wait and see if that's the way the manager sees it," he said.

"You can't argue (about waiting for a chance). You're always training hard but you know there are good people in front of you. You want the team to do well – it's not just about yourself.

"The manager's told me I've always got to be ready when I'm called up and make sure I go out and do the business."