Peter Thorne has thrown City a play-off lifeline, relieved boss Stuart McCall insisted today.

Thorne rescued a point against leaders Brentford with a last-gasp equaliser.

And McCall believes Satur-day’s stoppage-time strike can breathe new life into their faltering promotion bid.

McCall said: “I said before the game that this result could change our season. Even though we’ve only got one point, it’s the manner we’ve done it that will lift everybody.

“It feels like a win in so many ways and we’re still in there fighting.”

None of the four sides competing for the final play-off spot won at the weekend.

Barry Conlon’s third goal in as many games for Grimsby ensured Shrewsbury, who currently occupy seventh place, remain only a point ahead.

McCall added: “The points difference is still the same and we’ve had the hardest game. We might have expected Chesterfield to win at Macclesfield and we certainly thought Shrewsbury would beat Grimsby at home.

“The morale in the dressing room is totally different to how it would have been if the game had finished two minutes earlier and the lads will come in to training with a spring in their step.

“I’d take scoring in the 91st minute all day long. It’s happened a few times against us this season.

“We didn’t play great football but we were up against a really well-organised side who were always a threat because of their height and physical presence.

“It was a hard battle but you’ve got to defend and we did that reasonably well. I’m pleased with the effort and endeavour and the point was fully merited.”

Brentford, the division’s best travellers, went in front just after the hour through Billy Clarke. Manager Andy Scott conceded: “If you come to Bradford and are disappointed to have only drawn, it shows we’ve got the will to do well. They didn’t creat any chances other than the long balls.”

But McCall is now heading for Morecambe on Good Friday in high spirits.

“We’d have liked three but that point and the way it came about could have just as positive an effect. People would have said we were dead and buried if we’d got beaten. Now other teams and managers will see we stuck at it and have still got that dream.”