STUART McCall licked his wounds after City were well beaten by League One top dogs Sheffield United and admitted: That's why they are champions.

The Bantams surrendered fourth spot to Scunthorpe after yesterday's 3-0 loss at Bramall Lane. But they are still in a strong position as defeats for Millwall and Southend maintained their six-point cushion in the play-offs with two games to go.

City were second best in front of the television cameras as the Blades raced into a three-goal lead before the break. Leon Clarke scored twice and nemesis Billy Sharp, League One's leading scorer, took his tally to five goals in his last four meetings with the Bantams.

McCall said: "It was challenging – but Sheffield United have got the best squad, the best team and if they are playing at the top of their game, they can do that to sides.

"When you come up against the best team, you need to be on top of your game and a few of us weren't.

"It can't detract from what our aim is. Congratulations to them on winning the league but we've got our own agenda."

City started with three centre halves but McCall quickly ditched that system at 2-0 down. Timothee Dieng was sacrificed from midfield after just 22 minutes.

McCall said: "It was nothing to do with Tim's performance. I just wanted to play three up against them and stop them from getting out from the back. But I think the game was won and lost in both penalty boxes.

"They were clinical – which you expect when you've got Leon Clarke and Billy Sharp, who've both done it at the top. We had one really good chance with Charlie (Wyke) to get back to 2-1 but he just knocks it wide.

"We put a lot of good balls in and played okay in patches. But they've defended, got their heads on things, got blocks in and stopped us getting shots off.

"The bottom line is we were up against a top-class side who showed why they are worthy champions."

Blades boss Chris Wilder felt his side's first-half performance was one of their best but he will be backing his old club to negotiate the play-offs.

Wilder said: "We have beaten an excellent side. I have a lot of respect for Bradford City with my connections there. Personally, I hope they join us in the Championship next season. They are a class act.

"I got a couple of bottles of champagne from their chairman and James Mason and Stuart giving us the guard of honour was nothing I didn't expect.

"It is a class club and their supporters deserve to go up. I am sure they will have a right good go at it in the next three or four weeks."