THE finish was almost apologetic as the cross-shot from Colchester winger Callum Harriott slithered through the keeper’s grasp and into the corner of the net.

It was the moment that did for Brad Jones.

The Australian went on to help Feyenoord lift a first Dutch title in 18 years and enjoyed three lucrative years playing in Saudi Arabia.

But his short and not very sweet time as a Bantam was finished with that blunder in Essex. The former Liverpool (back-up) stopped had lasted just 10 weeks.

The drive back from Essex on that Tuesday night late in September 2015 felt never-ending – and not just because of the roadworks that seem to magically spring up after long away games.

It was a second poor display and defeat in four days and City were sat sixth from bottom of League One with only two wins and 10 points from their first 10 games.

The internet crackled with indignation after a rotten performance witnessed by enough fans – most of whom had “taken advantage” of the club’s move to beam back the action to Valley Parade.

The season was already being written off.

Colchester would complete a depressing double with a 2-1 win in BD8 at the beginning of March and still be relegated.

But those were the last home points the Bantams dropped as they stormed into a fifth-placed play-off finish on the back of seven straight Valley Parade victories. The previous September seemed a world away.

Saturday’s long trek back up the M1 following City’s non-display at Crawley had the same sorry hallmarks of that Colchester trip.

An awful day at the office at the end of a disappointing month and the Bantams faithful growing restless.

From three successive wins in August that propelled them within sniffing distance of top spot, the subsequent slide to mid-table has brought back all the old concerns.

Questions are being raised and fingers pointed – not just by supporters but Derek Adams as well – as the results suddenly drop away.

The absence of key players right now is hurting and any, or all, of them will be welcomed back with open arms once the sick bay starts to empty out.

Andy Cook is in urgent need of support as he ploughs a lonely furrow up front while facing two permanent minders.

The midfield must rediscover its spark and some goals – hopefully Callum Cooke’s late strike on Saturday could act as a catalyst for him.

And defensively, the team have got to find a cure to the sloppy concessions that have left them unable to register a shut-out since St James’s Park on the curtain-raiser to the season.

But there is obviously a long, long way to go.

Think back to six years ago and what appeared to be a lengthy struggle ahead turned into their highest finish since dropping out of the Championship in 2004.

After Colchester, Phil Parkinson’s under-pressure players dusted themselves down and headed for Rochdale – where a team inspired by the loan return of Kyel Reid savoured a 3-1 success that restored belief on and off the pitch.

Dale are once again the opponents to kick off October and the Valley Parade atmosphere could be strained if things don’t start well. Manager and fans will demand a response.

Maintaining the unbeaten home record with a win would take City’s tally to 15 from the opening 10 games – a points ratio that would earn 69 over the full term and probably enough to squeeze into the play-offs.

It would not be the worst base to build from as Adams gets his teeth into a job he is determined to conquer. It is going to take time.

His Morecambe were in 10th on 16 points at that stage last season – having lost four of those. Promoted Bolton, as Levi Sutton has been quick to point out, were languishing in 19th spot behind City.

Adams has already made it clear that the time to be judged is after 46 games and not before. The current form guide makes uncomfortable reading but it does not represent a blueprint of what will follow.

It might be time to take a collective deep breath and see how this one plays out.

City fans are desperate for a change in fortunes after the under-achievement and despair of recent years. The pressure placed on the players to reverse that failure is huge and that’s understandable.

“Wake me up when September ends” sung American rock band Green Day.

It is an anthem that those connected with City can identify with after this miserable month of no wins, two league points and four defeats.

But Adams has shown he can handle high stakes with Plymouth. He knows the long game - so should we all.