Shattered Phil Parkinson admitted City need a break after finishing their miserable March with another away loss.

Saturday’s defeat at Plymouth meant they lost all five away games during the last hectic month.

They are still clinging to a four-point advantage on the relegation zone but City dropped to 20th, making for an edgy Easter.

City face Southend next on Friday but Parkinson reckons it is a huge relief to have a free midweek.

He said: “It’s been a long period of games and we need to recharge the batteries. We have to make sure everyone’s ready for the next big one.

“We all need a break. Lads like Lee Bullock and Craig Fagan have played nearly all the games.

“It’s a mental and physical fatigue for everybody when you go through a run like we’ve had in the last month.

“The long journeys and all the travelling take their toll. But the lads have given us everything and we should have had more points than we’ve got.”

City collected only five points from a possible 27 through the nine-game schedule – with just one point from the last 18 on offer – and finished empty-handed again despite dominating at Home Park.

Juvhel Tsoumou was left unmarked to score a fifth-minute header and Plymouth withstood desperate pressure from the visitors to move level on points. Parkinson added: “It was such a shame to concede like that because, even in the first half, I thought we had control of the game.

“There was an edginess about the home supporters but that goal gave them a lift.

“We had some good opportunities first half and then in the second we did everything but put the ball in the back of the net.

“The ball was bouncing around the box and just waiting for someone to put their foot through the ball.

“Nahki (Wells) put one in but was given offside and I can’t believe some of the chances that didn’t go in. We’ve got to be more clinical.”

Parkinson made six changes for City’s first game since the Crawley brawl.

The result of the club’s internal inquiry with the three players sent off that night could be revealed today.

The Bantams chief was pleased with Matt Duke and Guy Branston on their return from Valley Parade exile.

“There’s no time for players to have two or three games to bed in. They’ve got to do it straight away.

“I’ve no complaints with their performance. Dukey was very solid and it was a credit to Brano’s professionalism how well he played considering he’d been out for so long.

“We have to be strong and be resilient but if the lads keep giving that level of commitment we’re going to win games.