Paul Jewell has issued a rallying call to his Bradford City side to put last night's disappointing defeat at home to Sunderland behind them and go all out to clinch second place in the First Division.

The Bantams boss admitted that the Wearsiders are now almost certain to lift the title following Niall Quinn's goal which clinched a 1-0 victory at Valley Parade.

City would have gone back up to second and an automatic promotion slot had they won last night thanks to Ipswich losing at Crystal Palace and Bolton drawing at home with Barnsley.

However after watching his side lose only their second game in 15 league outings, Jewell remains in defiant mood.

He said: "If we had won it would have meant we would have been in second place, but just because we lost it doesn't mean it is the end of the world.

"Before the game I would probably have said Sunderland were already up. But as long as we finish second, then I don't care if they do win the title.

"We have to pick ourselves up and be ready for Saturday - that is the important game for us now.

"To be honest, a draw would not have been the worst result against a team like Sunderland, so to concede a goal like we did was very disappointing. We must learn from these mistakes."

Sunderland played the final 15 minutes with Quinn in goal after Danish international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen had to leave the field with concussion following a collision with Lee Mills but Jewell was frustrated that his side did not test Quinn with more crosses or shots in the closing stages.

The Dane spent last night in a Bradford hospital. Sunderland boss Peter Reid said of Sorenson: "I saw him shortly after the game, and he looked ragged and pale. To be honest, I don't think he recognised me. He didn't seem to know where he was so he went to hospital in Bradford where he remained overnight.

"We will know more later today. Fortunately, in the heat of the moment, Niall proved to be the coolest man on the pitch when we lost Thomas. He didn't panic.

"He told me that he had done it before - I think when I was manager at Manchester City against Derby when we won that game - and he said he would do it again for us. This was a fantastic result against a good side."

Meanwhile, City's visit to Port Vale which was postponed on Saturday has been re-arranged for Tuesday April 13, kick-off 7.45pm.

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